Psalm 130

We need to speak the truth in love. Without love behind our actions we are just making noise. We may be the only hands and feet of Jesus that someone encounters.

God sent His Son to us, not to condemn the world, but that through His sacrifice the world could be saved. John 3:17

Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Even if it seems like God is delaying in judging the wicked, this delay is not indefinite ... and in fact, it shows that God is merciful as much as He is just. Unless the wicked repent of their sin, their end is utter despair (Job 24:22-24). But God desires for everyone to turn from evil and seek Him (2 Peter 3:9).

So although we may not fully understand God's methods in dealing with those who rebel against the light of His Truth (Job 24:12-17), we can reflect on how God reached us when we failed to see the light of His Truth. He may have reached us through someone's prayers, a series of events, or some life-changing encounter with His Word. And we can rest assured God knows what it takes to reach someone else too. First5 

Psalm 130:1–8 (NKJV): 

1 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord;

2 Lord, hear my voice!

Let Your ears be attentive

To the voice of my supplications.

3 If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,O Lord, who could stand?

4 But there is forgiveness with You,

That You may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

And in His word I do hope.

6 My soul waits for the Lord

More than those who watch for the morning—Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord;

For with the Lord there is mercy,

And with Him is abundant redemption.

8 And He shall redeem Israel

From all his iniquities.

Psalm 130 is a penitential psalm. Its placement following a psalm of imprecation. After all, a person might take such joy in the destruction of the wicked that he or she no longer would consider his or her own heart before the Lord. This psalm is the eleventh song of ascent. The structure is as follows: (1) a call for God’s mercy (2) a recognition of God’s forgiveness (3) an expectation of God’s forgiveness (4) a call for God’s mercy on all.

The poet shouts aloud to God from the depths of his own despair. In this case it was not enemies who were plowing his back, but his own sense of sin that was eating at the depths of his soul. God does not mark or keep count of our sins. Through the sacrificial system and ultimately in the provision of Jesus Christ, God dismissed His people’s sins altogether (Micah 7:19).

The grace of God in His provision for forgiveness is not to be taken lightly. The truly forgiven sinner realizes the magnitude of God’s grace, remains grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice for sins, and lives in the fear or awe of God.

The poet repeats that his hope is in the Lord. This was a confident expectation in the God who is always faithful to His promises. The psalm moves from the experience of an individual to that of the community. After proclaiming his own hope, the psalmist exhorts the community of Israel to hope in the Lord. God is not only capable of delivering the individual, He also delivers the community of believers who hope in Him.

In the OT, the redemption of God’s people refers to God’s deliverance of His people from Egypt and from all other national foes, as well as to God’s forgiveness of sins through the sacrificial system. 

The final redemption of all God’s people came only in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. NKL Study Bible

The psalmist begins by pleading with Yahweh for help. The psalmist may feel that his difficulties result from his sins, as indicated by his later mention of iniquities.

The psalmist asks God to listen and answer favorably. The psalmist seems to connect his suffering to possible punishment for sin, but he emphasizes Yahweh’s forgiving nature. He asserts that Yahweh forgives so that He might be worshiped; thus, the psalmist implies that he will worship Yahweh if Yahweh rescues him.

The Hebrew word used here, awon, is plural and likely refers to the guilt that misdeeds accrue. 

The psalmist is aware that no one lives perfectly before Yahweh and that no one can withstand close scrutiny by Yahweh for misdeeds and mistakes.

This type of pardon goes beyond a strictly legal context to include the general stance of trust in Yahweh. The psalmist waits for Yahweh’s help.

The psalmist exhorts all Israel to hope in Yahweh’s redemption from sin. His ability to present his psalm is implicit proof of Yahweh’s redemption. 

This individual lament psalm—which is also part of the pilgrimage psalms that were meant to be used during pilgrimage to Jerusalem—focuses on the psalmist’s internal experience. He begins by crying for help and pleading for Yahweh’s mercy. He then implicitly asks forgiveness by stating that no one could endure Yahweh’s scrutiny for sins, but Yahweh forgives in order that He might be worshiped. The psalmist then describes his hope and anticipation of Yahweh’s help in terms of night watchmen yearning for morning light. He concludes by exhorting all Israel to hope in Yahweh because He will redeem Israel. Faithlife Study Bible

1 Kings 8:39 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men),

1 Kings 8:40

that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.

Psalm 86:5

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,

And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.