Psalm 130:4

4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

Psalm 130:4 in Other Translations

4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

4 But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

4 As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you're worshiped.

4 But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared.

4 But with you there is forgiveness so that you can be feared.

4 But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be revered.

4 But you forgive. So people have respect for you.

Psalm 130:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 130:4

But [there is] forgiveness with thee
And with God only; not with angels, nor any of the sons of men; and which flows from his grace and mercy, through the blood of his Son. It appears to be with him by his promise of it in covenant; by appointing his Son to shed his blood for it, and exalting him as a Saviour to give it; by proclaiming it in the Gospel; and by the numerous instances of it, both under the Old and under the New Testament. Or, there is "a propitiation with thee"; as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions render it: God had found out Christ to be the propitiatory sacrifice for sin, and the ransom of his people; and set him forth in his purposes and decrees for that end; and which was made known by the sacrifices of the law, typical of it; and in the fulness of time he sent him to be the propitiation for it, and he is become so; and has made reconciliation for sin, and reconciled his people to God by the sufferings of death; and reconciled all the divine perfections of justice and holiness, grace and mercy, together, in the salvation of men; and is now an advocate the Father for them, pleading the propitiatory sacrifice of himself before him;

that thou mayest be feared;
were it not for pardon, and the hope of it, men would be desperate; and, having no hope, would resolve upon taking their swing of sin, and be entirely negligent of the worship and service of God: was there no forgiveness of sin, there would be no more fear of God among men than there is among devils, for whom there is no forgiveness; there might be dread and trembling, as among them, but no godly fear: yea, if God was strictly to mark iniquity, and not pardon it, there would be none to fear him, all must be condemned and cut off by him; but, in order to secure and preserve his fear among men, he has taken the step he has to pardon sin through the propitiatory sacrifice of his Son; and a discovery, and an application of his grace, teaches men to fear to offend him; influences them to serve him acceptably with reverence and godly fear, and engages them to fear him and his goodness, and him for his goodness's sake, ( Titus 2:11 Titus 2:12 ) ( Hebrews 12:8 ) ( Hosea 3:5 ) .

Psalm 130:4 In-Context

2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

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

4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 34:7; S 2 Samuel 24:14; S Jeremiah 31:34; Isaiah 55:7; Jeremiah 33:8
• 2. S 1 Kings 8:40