Psalm 123
The fourth of the “Songs of Ascents”. Psalm 123 reads more like a lament than a song of ascents! It’s got the psalmist’s situation (contempt of the proud, v. 4), his cry for help (v. 3), and an expression of confidence in Who the Lord is (v. 1). However, the Psalm is missing any justification of the writer’s innocence and, most importantly, thanksgiving for the Lord’s deliverance for the writer from his situation. So, much like a lament, but not complete in the lament model. Still, it’s unusual as a Song of Ascents.
Have you ever felt the “contempt of the proud” (v. 4)? Have you had someone belittle you when you were, in fact, in some lower state or position than the person who was making you feel diminished? Have you been the “butt of the joke”, been made to feel humiliated? There’s an old line that is supposed to make us feel better: “Consider the source!” That is, tell yourself that the proud person is simply reflecting his/her own insecurity. Bad advice. Diminishing that other person does nothing but bring that bad situation down to a lower level. The better path is the one the psalmist chooses, to recognize God for Who He is, enthroned in the heavens (v. 1) and to look to the LORD our God, till He has mercy upon us. (v. 2) This God Who is the eternal Creator made each and every one of us in His image; there is no basis for anyone to be overly proud or to apply that pride in diminishing another person. Don’t let yourself be belittled – and “for heaven’s sake”, don’t be the belittler!!
Excellent thoughts, Fred! But I’d like to make one clarification. You indicated that the line, “Consider the source!” is bad advice. I thoroughly agree that, in the way you cited it, it certainly can be bad advice. But the way I would use that line is a bit different. I would use that line when the other person is indeed untrustworthy or even evil. For example, when Putin declares that his “special military operation” is just defensive in nature, well, consider the source! Or, when Satan whispers a temptation in your ear, again, consider the source!
But that bit of clarification should not distract us from your actual point — that we should always look to the LORD our God.