0568. Israel's Distress-Scorned

Israel’s Distress-Scorned

"Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud" (Psa_123:4).

Once more we have the story of Israel’s distress, and her eyes are lifted to Jehovah, Who dwells in the Heavens. This time she is described not as a wanderer, but as scorned. She is waiting upon the Lord for mercy; she is calling unto God for help. Her complaint is, that she is exceedingly filled with contempt, her soul is filled with the scorn of her enemies. It is significant that the 4th verse describes this scorn as proceeding from those who are at ease. The Prophet Zechariah speaks of this very thing. "I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased and they helped forward the affliction." The angel who stood by the Lord of the whole earth had gone to and fro through the earth and had brought the report, "Behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest." Then the angel of the Lord cries out, "O Lord of Hosts, how long wilt Thou not have mercy on Jerusalem, and on the cities of Judah?" The same passage that describes the nations at rest, describes Israel as stricken with terror and anguish. Then God hears her pitiful cry.

Israel will yet find her help in God. God’s answer to the prayer of Psalms 123, will be found in the succeeding Psalm.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR