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

PSALMS 123:3KJV
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Psalms 123:3 (KJV)

What does Psalms 123:3 mean?

Psalms 123:3 is a plea for God’s compassion, asking the LORD to show mercy because the people feel overwhelmed by scorn and disrespect from others. The verse expresses a deep sense of weariness from being looked down upon and seeks relief from God.

This verse is spoken by the psalmist on behalf of a group, likely the community of Israel, addressing God directly. The situation is one of distress, where the people have faced repeated contempt or mockery from those around them. The verse highlights both the humility of the speaker and the intensity of the hardship, showing a heartfelt dependence on God’s kindness.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 123:3

  • "mercy" (חָנֵּנוּ, channēnū): This word means to show favor or be gracious. The repetition in the verse ("have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us") emphasizes the urgency and depth of the request.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, indicating a direct and covenantal relationship.
  • "exceedingly" (רַב, rav): This word means "greatly" or "very much," stressing just how full or overwhelmed the people feel by contempt.
  • "filled" (שָׂבַע, sava): This word means to be satisfied or filled to the brim, but here it is used negatively, meaning the people have had more than enough of contempt.
  • "contempt" (בוּז, buz): This word refers to scorn, mockery, or being treated as worthless. It shows the emotional and social pain the people are experiencing.

Why Psalms 123:3 matters

  • Psalms 123:3 clarifies that the people’s main burden is not physical hardship but the emotional and social weight of being despised by others.
  • The verse’s repeated plea for mercy highlights how deeply the people feel their need for God’s intervention, not just once but continually.
  • Understanding the original words for "filled" and "contempt" shows that the psalmist is describing a situation where the community feels completely saturated with shame, making their cry for mercy especially urgent and heartfelt.