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Psalms 130

A cry rising "out of the depths" (v. 1) — the lowest point in the Songs of Ascents — that turns on one hinge: "If you, LORD, kept a record of sins... who could stand?" (v. 3). The answer is forgiveness, and forgiveness is what produces reverence (v. 4). From verse 5 the tone shifts from crying to waiting. Read the doubled line about watchmen straining for dawn (v. 6) as the picture of a soul that knows morning is coming but cannot yet see it.

  1. 1

    Out of the depths I have cried to you, LORD.

  2. 2

    Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my petitions.

  3. 3

    If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?

  4. 4

    But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.

  5. 5

    I wait for the LORD. My soul waits. I hope in his word.

  6. 6

    My soul longs for the Lord more than watchmen long for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

  7. 7

    Israel, hope in the LORD, for there is loving kindness with the LORD. Abundant redemption is with him.

  8. 8

    He will redeem Israel from all their sins.

From a single soul to all Israel

The psalm moves from "I" to "we": the personal plea of vv. 1-6 becomes a summons in v. 7 — "Israel, hope in the LORD" — handing the speaker's hard-won confidence to the whole nation.

The final word is "redeem": God "will redeem Israel from all their sins" (v. 8), closing the circle opened by the question of who could stand.

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