Having set the end of the journey before us, there is a going back to other aspects of the journey. I believe in this series of Psalms we have the end set before us three times, and a going back and making a new start twice to prepare the heart for the journey. It reminds us of what is said to Elijah – “The journey is too great for thee” – and so it would be for us if we attempted it in our own strength. This Psalm 123 reminds us of the pause in the journey of the returned captives under Ezra (Ezra 8:15-31). He proclaimed a fast by the river Ahava, “That we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.”
When Ezra’s company journeyed back across the deserts, they had no Shechinah cloud to guide them, and no manna by the way; but they had guidance and watchful care. The heavens were not closed to them now (Lev. 26:19; Deut. 28:23). Years before, Solomon in his prayers had besought the Lord for those who would be in this very circumstance (1 Kings 8:33). So they have guidance from the One who “dwellest in the heavens.”
(vss. 1-2) “Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou that dwellest in the heavens.” Is it not the guidance by the eye spoken of in Psalm 32:8, “I will guide thee with Mine eye”? “Our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that He have mercy upon us.” They will abide His time. Nevertheless, they feel the contempt of those that are at ease in Babylon, or satisfied to remain where they were.
(vss. 3-4) “Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.” They are characterized as “proud” – those who scorn the path of faith – and is it not ever thus? “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God” (Psa. 10:4). The “pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16). Undetected and unjudged pride has wrought havoc among the people of God.