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"Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt." (Psalms 123:3)

  There are some things that might cause us to wonder and wander; this, I believe is not one of them. If we could just step back for a moment and consider what the writer is feeling in his heart, because the expectancy of the previous verse is now doing a comparison to situations, as in, who it is that is actually blessed. Okay, let's say that this Psalm was written when the Jews were captive in Babylon. If there was something that could match what this is getting across, it might be the way the children of Israel were tried to be converted over to the Babylonian customs and religious practices. This is really not asking for anything but mercy from God, the LORD, the One that has chosen His people for a particular purpose and for Him to do a work in them and through them. There is something about being brought face to face with corruption and evil, verses being changed from the inside out. In light of what we know, the children of Israel that were taken were the ones that could actually benefit the Babylonian kingdom; the healthy and wealthy, those that were able bodied and were leaders in the land of Israel, they were selected to serve and be a productive part of that kingdom. It is most likely one of those that wrote this Psalm, if this was written during that transition. It is in this light that I feel the meaning takes us to the area of contempt, because it is born in disrespect and being shamed. This is more like the opposite of being jealous, as some might try to paint the picture. There was no desire in the writers heart for being made part of whatever it was they were going through, because it was not something that could bring them closer to God; just the opposite would take place if they were to give in to the practices and rituals of their Pagan captors. It is that kind of mercy that is being called out for, the kind that might ask, 'Please let us remain strong and devoted to you, O LORD!' There was really nothing else that mattered, but that they remain steadfast and be kept in God's hands...

"When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to a cross. And the criminals were also crucified -one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. "He saved others," they said, "let him save himself if he is really God's Messiah, the Chosen One." The soldiers mocked him too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" A sign was fastened above him with these words: "This is the King of the Jews."" (Luke 23:33-38) NLT