Bible Strands
Psalms 123:1
A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The speaker identifies the composition as a "song of ascents" and addresses God directly while looking upward during a pilgrimage journey.
The words — נָשָׂאתִי (na.Sa.ti) means "I have lifted up," paired with עֵינַי ('ei.nai) for "my eyes," describing the literal physical act of looking upward.
The thread — The psalmist’s upward gaze parallels the petitioners in Psalms 121:1 and Psalms 25:15 who look to the Lord for deliverance, while Psalms 141:8 similarly describes eyes fixed on the Lord without using a lifting motion.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to direct their full attention to God’s heavenly throne rather than immediate circumstances, establishing a posture of dependence before asking for mercy.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
Cross-references
- Psalms 121:1 A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
- Psalms 141:8 But my eyes are fixed on You, O GOD the Lord. In You I seek refuge; do not leave my soul defenseless.
- Psalms 25:15 My eyes are always on the LORD, for He will free my feet from the mesh.
- Psalms 2:4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them.
- Psalms 11:4 The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.
- Matthew 6:9 So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
- Luke 18:13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’
- Psalms 120:1 A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.
- Psalms 125:1 A song of ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever.
- Psalms 132:1 A song of ascents. O LORD, remember on behalf of David all the hardships he endured,