Psalms 123 · Grade 4
Waiting for Mercy
Read and Think
Psalm 123 is titled A Song of Ascents and names no author. It is only four verses long. It begins with one person: I lift up my eyes to you, you who sit in the heavens. Then it becomes the prayer of the whole people.
The central picture comes from a household. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to Yahweh, our God, until he has mercy on us. A servant watched the master's hand for direction, provision, and help. God's people watch him the same way.
Their need is mercy. Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt. Proud people at ease have scoffed at them. They do not fight back with scorn; they look up and wait for God to act.
Show What You Know
How does the prayer change after verse 1?
Why did servants watch their master's hand?
What do the people ask God for twice?
How do they respond to the scoffing?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- It begins with one person: I lift up my to you, you who sit in the heavens.
- Their need is .
- They do not fight back with scorn; they look up and wait for to act.
Think About It
The people kept their eyes on God when they were mocked. What can you do when someone makes fun of you?
A servant watches the master's hand. How can you watch for God's direction this week?
Memory Verse
“Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.”
Psalms 123:3 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for your mercy. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How can you pray for your church, not just yourself?
- The people had heard enough scorn from proud people. How can you look to God for guidance at home?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.