In this teaching, we explore Psalm 123 within the broader context of the Psalms and Israel’s history. Spanning over a millennium, the 150 Psalms were carefully curated into five books, each reflecting key moments in Israel’s journey. Psalm 123 resides in the fifth and final book, known as the Psalms of Ascent, which captures the experience of God's people returning from exile to rebuild Jerusalem and reignite worship. This Psalm vividly portrays the posture of faithful waiting and hopeful looking to God amidst contempt, scorn, and hardship. Using rich imagery, it compares the people's gaze to that of a servant watching their master’s hand—patiently and expectantly awaiting divine favor. We unpack the historical backdrop from Nehemiah’s account, where the Israelites face ridicule and opposition while reconstructing Jerusalem’s walls, yet remain steadfast in their plea for God’s gracious intervention. The teaching also connects Psalm 123 to Jesus’ own experience, highlighting how He embodied this trust and grace even in the face of ultimate rejection and suffering on the cross. Jesus’ prayer for mercy amidst scorn reveals the profound mercy and favor God extends to us, encouraging us to adopt the same posture of reverent dependence. Key themes include: - The intentional arrangement of Psalms into historical and spiritual collections. - The Psalms of Ascent as expressions of physical and spiritual journeying toward God. - The dual imagery of God enthroned in heaven yet intimately near to His people. - The call to patiently wait on God’s timing and direction, trusting His sovereign hand. - The challenge to avoid distraction and apathy, and instead to actively lift our eyes to God in all life’s trials. - The ultimate fulfillment of these themes in Jesus Christ, who models perfect trust and mercy. Whether you’re wrestling with personal hardship, seeking a deeper understanding of scripture, or longing for renewed hope, this teaching offers a rich, poetic framework to engage with God authentically. Learn how to “put on spiritual eyes,” embrace a posture of faithful waiting, and discover God’s favor and grace in every season. * SPOTIFY MUSIC PLAYLIST -- https://tinyurl.com/fkzpkjwh * SERMON PODCAST -- https://tinyurl.com/2sn3msmn * CONNECT WITH US -- https://siderischurch.com/connectcard * MORE GOSPEL RESOURCES -- https://siderischurch.com/resources