In linking Psalms 123 and 124 to the years 2023 and 2024, we can compare and contrast themes. If  "the hour of trial" predicted by Christ, the 7 year shavua (years 483-490) of The 70th Week of Daniel is meant to unfold from 2016 to 2023, then Psalms 123 and  Psalm 124 can and should reveal the conclusion of that period and also give evidence of the transitioning into the beginning of the 1000 Year Reign of the Messiah of Israel, Christ the Lord. The following are translations of Psalm 123 and 124 from the New Living Translation.
 
 
   Psalm 123  A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem
 
   I lift up my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. We keep looking to the Lord our god for his mercy, Just as their servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy, for we have had our fill of contempt. We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud and the contempt of the arrogant.
 
   There are 3 instances of begging, of imploring, for mercy. Who are the we? The 12 tribes people of Israel. Concluded is the " fill of contempt" of Jew hating people for centuries and the intensive 7 year period from   "the scoffing of the proud" and the "contempt of the arrogant" toward the apple of God's eye. These are a people depicted as severely under distress. EXTREMIS OF SUFFERING.
 
 
   Psalm 124 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem
 
   What if the Lord had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat: What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. The waters would have engulfed us, a torrent would have overwhelmed us. Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives.
 
  Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! We escaped like a bird from the hunter's trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
 
   Israel has been invaded and attacked "to overwhelm our very lives" which will conclude at The Second Coming when the Messiah will literally fight for Israel and her people. But the Lord has been "on our side" of Israel. There is an important break in the text, like a spiritual sea change of victory. Israel has finally escaped the snare of the fowler, the trap set and begun with The Blessed Hope. The snare, "the trap is broken" and "we are free" to thank and praise the source of "our help" which is "from the Lord" who is "the creator of heaven and earth." By Psalm 125, which can be linked to the year to 2025, "Zion is secure"  so Jerusalem is secure and free and safe and will "forever endure." Quite a change in circumstances. Tremendous.
 
 
   From Psalm 123  through Psalm 130, may indeed be representational of the foundational years, 1 through 7 from 2023 to 2030, of the segue into the 1000 Year Reign of the Messiah of Israel, of Christ the Lord. The themes of Israel hated and under siege are gone. Not mentioned. No more arrogance of the proud, or contempt or scoffing or suffering. OVER! Instead are 7 psalms about themes of exiles returned, freedom, peace, and prosperity! Love and meditate upon the inspired WORD!  The Blessed Hope is near! Come quickly, Lord...
 
 
 
With Love and Shalom,
Jean