| Psalms 122:1
| A gradual canticle. To thee have I lifted up my eyes, who dwellest in heaven.
| Canticle. Hebrew adds, "of David." (Haydock) --- Syriac also attributes it to him, though Zorobabel, etc., might recite it at their return. It may also refer to the captives groaning under oppression, (Calmet) and to every Christian, who must live in expectation of a better country. (St. Augustine) (Berthier, T. viii.)
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| Psalms 122:2
| Behold as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters: As the eyes of the handmaid are on the hands of her mistress: so are our eyes unto the Lord our God, until he have mercy on us.
| Masters. Expecting liberty, or rather food; though it may also imply that they are ready to run at the first sign, which they observe with attention. Thus Menelaus had his eyes on Agamemnon. (Homer) (Calmet) --- As servants, and particularly handmaids, are very attentive, and hope to receive sustenance, so we ought to pray with all earnestness to God for what is necessary. (Worthington) --- All must come from Him. --- Until. Or "waiting for his having mercy on us." We shall not cease to look up to Him afterwards. (Berthier) --- "Take care not to turn thine eyes away from mine." (Terent. Adelph. 2:1.)
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| Psalms 122:3
| Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we are greatly filled with contempt.
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| Psalms 122:4
| For our soul is greatly filled: we are a reproach to the rich, and contempt to the proud.
| A reproach. Hebrew, "with the reproach of those at ease," etc., (Haydock) or "let reproach fall upon," etc. We are treated with too much scorn, Lamentations 3:30. (Calmet) --- Yet God will not permit his friends to be overcome, but encourages them to hope for speedy redress, when their sufferings are great. (Worthington)
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