What does Psalm 123:3 mean?

While asking for God's mercy, the psalmist also mentions "contempt." It's possible this psalm was written after the Babylonian exile (2 Chronicles 36:17–21). When the people returned, they needed to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and reconstruct the temple (Ezra 2:1; 3:8). They faced opposition and mockery from surrounding enemies (Nehemiah 4:1–5). The psalmist may also have felt disrespected by those with more power and money (Psalm 123:4).

Christians also need the Lord's help to withstand a world which looks down on us. Jesus understands what this feels like (Hebrews 4:15). The servant is not greater than the Master, so we cannot expect to receive less contempt or more honor than He did (John 15:20). He was despised and rejected (Isaiah 53:3) and He predicted that His followers, like Him, would be persecuted (John 16:33). And yet Jesus can grant His people peace (John 14:27), and He promises mercy and grace to those who draw near to His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).