Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 123:2

"Behold, as the eyes of servants [look] unto the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid unto the hand of her mistress; So our eyes [look] unto Jehovah our God, Until he have mercy upon us." — Psalms 123:2 (ASV)

Eyes. — As the eyes of the slave are fixed on the hand of the master or mistress, waiting for a sign or direction, so Israel waits, expectant of the hint of Divine intervention to deliver them from the tyrant.

This picture will be so familiar to readers of Eastern stories that it hardly needs actual illustration. Savary’s description (Letters on Egypt, p. 135, quoted by Perowne) exactly reproduces the poet's intention: “The slaves stand silent at the bottom of the rooms, with their hands crossed over their breasts. With their eyes fixed upon their master, they seek to anticipate every one of his wishes.”

Compare this with “Cave oculos a meis oculis quoquam demoveas” (Terence, Adelphoe, II. 1, 16).