Leader: I Lift up My Eyes to You, the One Enthroned in the Heavens

Psalm 123

[You may need to make a brief introduction, pointing out that the men will read the bold print, the women the italics, and all will read the bold italics.]

Leader: I lift up my eyes to you, the One enthroned in the heavens.

Men: Our eyes look to you as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master.

Women: Our eyes look to you as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress.

All: Our eyes look to the Lord our God until he has mercy on us.

Men: Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have had more than enough contempt from those who are proud.

Women: Have mercy on us, O Lord, for our soul has had more than its fill of scorn from those who are at ease.

All: Have mercy on us, O Lord.

[Same reading, more normal]

Leader: I lift up my eyes to you, the One enthroned in the heavens.

People: Our eyes look to you as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress.

Leader: Our eyes look to the Lord our God until he has mercy on us.

People: Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have had more than enough contempt from those who are proud; our soul has had more than its fill of scorn from those who are at ease.

Leader: Have mercy on us, O Lord.

People: Yes, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Hymn/Song Suggestions:

Amy Grant/Michael W. Smith – “Lord, Have Mercy” (the chorus part of this song works

really well with the congregation; it is simple and direct.)

Any setting of “Lord, Have Mercy” (UMC 482)

“Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned”

“O Worship the King”

Anthems:

“Lift Thine Eyes” from ELIJAH (women’s trio)

“Unto the Hills (I lift my weary eyes)” – Joseph Martin