How do you react when proud people look down on you and belittle you? In an era of internet bullying and increasingly polarized politics, this is an increasingly common problem. On the one hand, we are tempted to fight fire with fire, to turn the tables on those who despise us, finding reason to shame or belittle them in return. In contrast, some people internalize the scorn, falling into discouragement or even despair. Some allow the mockery of others to drive them to suicide.

But this Song of Ascents reminds us that the true answer is not to look down on our tormentors or to look down on ourselves. No, the true answer is to look up, to go up Mt. Zion to the place of worship, to lift our eyes to the Lord. After all, Jesus is the One Who is seated on His throne in heaven (verse 1), holding all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He is the only One Who has the right to look down on anyone else.

And so, instead of boasting about ourselves and belittling our opponents, the psalmist encourages us to look up. We must admit our helplessness and weakness, just as servants admit their complete dependence on their masters or mistresses. In other words, we are called not to pride but to humility.

But at the same time, we are called to hope. For the reason that servants look up to their masters and mistresses is because they are confident that those powerful, wealthy people are able to protect them and provide for them. And we can have the same sort of confidence that the Lord will be gracious to us, employing His unimaginable power for our good.

So, instead of scorning the scornful, and instead of allowing those who mock us and look down on us to define who we are, let’s look up. Let’s look to the One Who knows what it’s like to be mocked and scorned and rejected, the One Whose enemies crucified Him. Let’s look to the One Who, because of His willingness to die for unworthy sinners like us, has been highly exalted and given a name that is above every name (Philippians 2:5-9). Let’s look to the One Who promises to come again in glory, using His complete authority over heaven and earth to set all things right and to make all things new.

Psalm 123 (NASB)

A Song of Ascents . To Thee I lift up my eyes, O Thou who art enthroned in the heavens!
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress; So our eyes look to the LORD our God, Until He shall be gracious to us.
3 Be gracious to us, O LORD, be gracious to us; For we are greatly filled with contempt.
4 Our soul is greatly filled With the scoffing of those who are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud.