Psalms 130:1-6

Hope in the LORD'S Forgiving Love.

1

A Song of Ascents.

1 Out of the ¹depths I have cried to You, O LORD.

2 Lord, ²hear my voice! Let ³Your ears be attentive To the ⁴voice of my supplications.

3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could ⁵stand?

4 But there is ⁶forgiveness with You, That You may be ⁷feared.

5 I wait for the LORD, my ⁸soul does wait, And ⁹in His word do I hope.

6 My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen ¹⁰for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.

Psalms 130:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 130

\\<>\\. This psalm is by some thought to have been written by David either when persecuted by Saul, and in great distress, and fearful he should perish by him; or else when in great distress of mind because of sin, after the affair of Bathsheba; and it is reckoned therefore among the penitential psalms. Though others think it was written by Ezra, or some other godly person in the captivity; and Aben Ezra and R. Obadiah interpret it of Israel in captivity. The Syriac inscription is, ``one of the psalms of ascension: it is said concerning Nehemiah the priest (or rather the prince or governor, since Nehemiah was no priest); and it intimates in it the prayer of the martyrs.'' It may be applied to any person in distress, outward or inward; applying to God for help and deliverance, for pardoning grace and mercy; encouraging himself and others to hope for it.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 42:7; Psalms 69:2; Lamentations 3:55
• 2. Psalms 64:1; Psalms 119:149
• 3. 2 Chronicles 6:40; Nehemiah 1:6, 11
• 4. Psalms 28:2; Psalms 140:6
• 5. Psalms 76:7; Psalms 143:2; Nahum 1:6; Malachi 3:2; Revelation 6:17
• 6. Exodus 34:7; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 86:5; Isaiah 55:7; Daniel 9:9
• 7. 1 Kings 8:39, 40; Jeremiah 33:8, 9
• 8. Psalms 27:14; Psalms 33:20; Psalms 40:1; Psalms 62:1, 5; Isaiah 8:17; Isaiah 26:8
• 9. Psalms 119:74, 81
• 10. Psalms 63:6; Psalms 119:147

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb YAH
• [b]. Lit "for"