Psalm 123

We have turned our back on Meshech; we are confident of Help to see us to the end; we have a grand view of the goal. 

And so we begin; perhaps with small steps; we begin to walk away from the despair and deceit and destructive ways of Meshech.  But this means we must also, in some ways, walk away from the people of Meshech.  Here and there an activity will change, or we will drop a relationship.  And it will not be long before Meshech will notice.

If you have a holy discontent for this world and determine to walk away from it, what do you suppose those who are still in that world will think?  What will they say?  The contempt of the men of Meshech is the first problem for the pilgrim, and he experiences this before he even gets to the hills.

In v3, the word contempt is a term that assumes a superior position, and then looks down on others.  It is the opposite of reverence or regard.  In v4 scorn means to make fun of someone.

Illustrations of this contempt, of course, begin at the cross where mockers made fun of Jesus.  "If you are the Son of God come down from the cross.  He saved others but he cannot save Himself."  (See Ps. 22:6; Isa. 53:3; Mt. 27:42).  He taught His disciples that they must expect the same treatment (Jn 15:18-25).  Israel experienced contempt when they were rebuilding the walls.  Their neighbors called them "feeble Jews" and said that even "if a fox jumps on it, it will fall down" (Neh. 4:1-3).  For the Psalmist a recurring form of contempt was the question, "Where is your God?" when he was beset with trials (Ps. 42:3,10).  I once heard Christians referred to as those who base their lives on false pronouncements of ancient figmental deities.

This contempt or scorn must be expected.  The pilgrim must remember that no matter how congenial he may be with the people of Meshech, the fact is that when he determined to make his journey to God he turned his back on people with certain values and judgments.  He was saying he found life in Meshech to be unsatisfying and sought something better.  And when this happens to people who are proud (v4) they do not take it well.  They will feel they are being judged and will fight back.  Remember that pride is a way of life in Meshech.  You have lived there; you used to have the same attitude.

Do not be surprised by the contempt.  Instead, lift your eyes to the Lord for His mercy (v1-2).

We have noted that the pilgrim's first hindrance on the journey to God comes not from the hills ahead but from the city behind him.  He expects this because he has lived in that city and shared its pride and arrogance.  It's the kind of thing that comes from those who are self-righteous (Luke 18:9,11) or complacent (Job 12:5; men at ease have contempt for misfortune as pilgrims are wont to have).  He expects contempt because Christ Himself, the Ultimate Pilgrim on this earth, experienced contempt. 

We have said God will be the pilgrim's help.  So what is the pilgrim to do about contempt?  Should he be ready with a snappy retort?  Should he return insult for insult?  To the surprise of many the answer is "no!”

One thing the pilgrim is called to do in this Psalm: he must simply commit the contempt to God (v1-2).  Specifically, he looks to God as "the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress."  What does this mean?  Slaves have no power, no expectations, no rights.  For maids, as women, it is always worse.  When they are mistreated for their service to their master what can they do?  They simply look to the master for satisfaction.  They look reverently, obediently, attentively, continuously, expectantly, singly, submissively and imploringly.  And they do this until He has mercy.  All this precludes any hurt feelings.  This is not personal against the pilgrim; it is in fact directed toward the One to Whom he draws near.  So he commits it to the Maker of Heaven and Earth as Christ Himself did (1 Peter 4:19)

One should note that the Bible adds something beyond what this Psalm says about our response to insult.  Numerous New Testament passages say that, rather than returning insult, for insult we can and should return a blessing for an insult (Matt. 5:44; Rom. 12:14; 1 Peter 3:9).  Again, this response is reminiscent of Jesus Himself Who, from the cross, asked His Father to forgive the very ones pounding the nails.

Perhaps this first test for the pilgrim is a special opportunity to test his faith in the One Who promised to be his help in Ps. 121.  In a difficult moment the pilgrim is asked to simply give it to God.  Let God, in His time, in His way, deal with the matter.  Graciously, and with purpose, continue on to the place you long to be!