Psalms 130

Chapter Overview

What happens in Psalms 130

A Song of Ascents and one of the seven penitential psalms. The psalmist cries out from the depths, asking God for forgiveness. He waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Scripture

Out of the Depths

Study note

From the depths of despair, the psalmist cries out to the Lord. If God kept a record of sins, who could stand? But with God there is forgiveness, so that he is feared and respected.

1 From the deepest, darkest place I cry out to you, LORD! Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.

2 Lord, please hear my voice! Let your ears be wide open to my desperate plea for mercy. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

3 LORD, if you wrote down every sin we ever did, who on earth could survive that? If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

4 But you are a God who forgives, and therefore people worship you with wonder. But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

Waiting for the Lord

Study note

The psalmist waits for the Lord — his soul waits, and in God's word he puts his hope. He waits more eagerly than watchmen wait for the morning. Israel should put their hope in the Lord, for with him there is faithful love and full redemption.

5 I wait for the LORD. Every part of me waits, and I hold on to his word. I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

6 I wait for the Lord more eagerly than night guards waiting for the sun to come up — yes, more than guards watching for the dawn. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

7 Israel, put all your hope in the LORD, because he is full of loyal love. He has more than enough power to set you free. Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

8 He himself will set Israel free from every sin. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Key Themes

Themes in Psalms 130

Crying out from the depthsWaiting for God more than watchmen wait for morningForgiveness with God so that he is fearedFull redemption and hope

Apply This Today

Living Psalms 130

From the deepest, darkest place you can imagine, the psalmist cried out — and God heard. If you are in the depths right now, know this: God keeps no record of sins for those who come to Him. Wait for him like a watchman waits for dawn. The morning is coming, and with it, full redemption.

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