Take-Home Principle: 

I will look to the Lord and wait on Him for help when I face difficulties.  

A. Discovery Questions

1. In verse 1, to whom did the psalmist lift his eyes unto?
2. In verse 3, what is the plea of the psalmist to the Lord?
3. In verses 3-4, what situation is the psalmist facing that led him to cry out for God’s mercy?

B. Understanding Questions 

1. In verse 1, why do you think the psalmist declared that he is lifting his eyes to “the one who sits enthroned in heaven?”
2. In verse 2, the psalmist likened looking to the Lord for mercy to a servant/maid looking at the hand of their master/mistress. Why do you think the psalmist used this illustration?
3. Considering that God sits on the throne in heaven, and we are His servants, is it wrong to “demand” God to grant our prayers? How do we know that God is telling us to wait or if we lack faith when our prayers have not been answered, or there seems to be no end to our suffering?

C. Application Questions

1. The psalmist in verse 3 cried out for mercy to the Lord not only once but twice, reflecting the desperate situation he was in by being continuously scorned/mocked/ridiculed/persecuted by others (v.4):

a.) Was there a time when you pleaded to God for mercy or help because of a difficult situation you were in? How did the Lord respond? How did you grow in faith during that time?

b.) Are you currently waiting for a way out of a difficult situation? How can you apply Psalm 123 at this time?

2. How will you look to the Lord for help as you face difficulties? Will you look to the Lord as:

a.) Our Sovereign God (v.1) who rules above all things?

b.) Our Master (v.2) who will take care of our needs?

c.) Our merciful Savior who knows our sufferings and our limits?

Why would you opt to look at the Lord as such?