Bible Strands
Psalms 123:3
Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy, for we have endured much contempt.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist speaks on behalf of a waiting community addressing Yahweh, immediately following their declaration of fixed expectation for divine intervention in Psalms 123:2.
The words — The Hebrew חָנֵּנוּ (ḥānēnû) repeats "show favor to us," paired with שָׂבַעְנוּ (śāḇaʿnû), literally "we have been surfeited," to describe the overwhelming weight of בֹּז (bōz), "contempt."
The thread — This plea for mercy amid reproach parallels the psalmist's cave refuge cry in Psalms 57:1 and the communal remembrance of bearing servants' scorn in Psalms 89:50.
Why it lands — The text demands a direct appeal to God's favor when human endurance reaches its limit, framing mercy as the necessary relief from overwhelming scorn.
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
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
Cross-references
- Psalms 57:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.
- Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
- Psalms 89:50 Remember, O Lord, the reproach of Your servants, which I bear in my heart from so many people—
- Nehemiah 4:2 before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?”
- Psalms 4:1 For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved my distress; show me grace and hear my prayer.
- Psalms 56:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
- Psalms 69:13 But my prayer to You, O LORD, is for a time of favor. In Your abundant loving devotion, O God, answer me with Your sure salvation.
- Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
- Luke 16:14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.
- Luke 23:35 The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”