1A Song of Degrees. Unto thee who dwellest in heaven have I lifted up mine eyes.

2Behold, as the eyes of servants are directed to the hands of their masters, and as the eyes of a maid-servant to the hands of her mistress; so our eyes are directed to the Lord our God, until he have mercy upon us.

3Have pity upon us, O Lord, have pity upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

4Yea, our soul has been exceedingly filled with it: ²²⁸let the reproach be to them that are at ease, and contempt to the proud.