July 9 – Psalms 123-125
Psalm 123
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
1 I lift my eyes to you,
O God, enthroned in heaven.
2 We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy,
just as servants keep their eyes on their master,
as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy,
for we have had our fill of contempt.
4 We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud
and the contempt of the arrogant.
Psalm 124
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.
1 What if the Lord had not been on our side?
Let all Israel repeat:
2 What if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us?
3 They would have swallowed us alive
in their burning anger.
4 The waters would have engulfed us;
a torrent would have overwhelmed us.
5 Yes, the raging waters of their fury
would have overwhelmed our very lives.
6 Praise the Lord,
who did not let their teeth tear us apart!
7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap.
The trap is broken, and we are free!
8 Our help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 125
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
1 Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.
3 The wicked will not rule the land of the godly,
for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.
4 O Lord, do good to those who are good,
whose hearts are in tune with you.
5 But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O Lord.
Take them away with those who do evil.
May Israel have peace!
Psalm 123–125 Reflection Question:
Lord, when I feel weary, overlooked, or surrounded by pressure, am I lifting my eyes to You in humble dependence, or am I trying to carry burdens in my own strength instead of trusting in Your steady protection?
Prayer Prompt:
Father, I lift my eyes to You, knowing that my help comes from You alone. When I feel tired, overlooked, or pressed on every side, teach me to wait on You with humility and trust. Help me not to look to the world for my security, but to rest in Your faithful care. Thank You that those who trust in You are like Mount Zion—steady, secure, and unshakable. Strengthen my heart when I feel uncertain and remind me that You surround Your people with Your protection and peace. Guard me from fear and help me to remain firm in Your truth, no matter what I face. I choose to trust You today, believing that You are my help, my shield, and my firm foundation forever. Amen.