What Does Psalm 123:2 Mean in the King James?

Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

Psalm 123:2 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The waiting eyes are fixed on the hand from which favor can come.

THE MEANING

Your gaze rests on the LORD as a servant’s eyes follow a master’s hand. The waiting holds its attention there until favor is shown; it is watchful dependence, not an empty stare.

THE ROOT

שֶׁיְחָנֵּנוּ

sheyeḥonnēnū

GROWS FROM

חנן

To show favor or be gracious.

The Hebrew verb translated “have mercy” comes from ⁨חנן⁩, a root of showing favor. Its word family makes the plea more specific: the eyes are fixed on the one whose favor they await, and the hands in the image make that favor something extended.

ALSO GROWS

ḥēn: Favor or acceptance.

חֵן

This noun shares the root and names what the eyes await.

ḥannūn: Gracious; one who shows favor.

חַנּוּן

This related form describes the character expressed when favor is given.

teḥinnāh: A request for favor or supplication.

תְּחִנָּה

This branch turns the root’s meaning into a plea, like the gaze that waits in this verse.

THE PATTERN

Dependence keeps its attention on the one who provides, even while the response is awaited.

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

Psalm 145:15 · KJVLike the eyes in Psalm 123, all eyes wait upon God, whose provision arrives in its season.

These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

Psalm 104:27 · KJVThe waiting creatures depend on God for provision that comes in its season.

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Matthew 6:26 · KJVThe birds’ food comes from the Father, extending the image of dependence beyond human servants.

THE THREAD

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

Psalm 123:3 · KJV

The repeated plea “have mercy” uses ⁨חנן⁩ (ḥānan, show favor), the same root as the verb at the end of verse 2. The next verse names what the waiting gaze seeks: favor amid the painful reality of contempt.

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