Bible Commentaries
Psalms 130

Verses 1-8

Psalms 130

A Penitential Prayer

Scripture v. 1-8:

Verses 1, 2 relate that the psalmist and Israel had cried to the Lord, "out of the depths," or great need, great distress, like Jonah from the belly of the whale, Psalms 18:4; Psalms 25:16; Psalms 40:2; La 3:55; Jonah 2:2. He pled that the Lord, the adonai (master), give ear or respond to his supplications, repeated, earnest prayer requests, Psalms 28:1.

Verse 3 asks, "Just who would be able to stand, legally, (to take it), suggesting none would, if the Lord should "mark iniquities," or make strict, immediate retribution for it, Job 10:14; Job 14:16; Psalms 90:8; To be condemned "to fall," is opposite "to stand," Psalms 1:5; Psalms 18:38; Psalms 20:8; See too Job 9:2-3; Romans 3:20.

Verse 4 continues "But there is (exists) forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared;" The Adonai, Lord God, is forgiving in character, toward the penitent, Exodus 34:7; Ephesians 1:7; And to be "feared," with reverence, by His children, 1 Kings 8:39-40; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Jeremiah 33:3; Jeremiah 33:9; Hebrews 10:28.

Verses 5, 6 repeatedly certify that the psalmist and Israel did wait, in hope, in faith, and in patience of soul, watching "for the morning," the sunlight of full deliverance from sin’s oppression and bondage, Isaiah 26:8; Isaiah 30:18; Hebrews 10:36-37; See also Psalms 27:14; Psalms 119:74; Psalms 119:81-82; Psalms 119:114; Habakkuk 2:3; For the blessed hope, Titus 2:13-14.

Verse 7, 8 call on, exhort all Israel to hope in (have faith in) the mercy and plenteous redemption of the Lord, being assured that, "He shall (on His covenant honor) redeem Israel from all his iniquities," save her from all her sins, Through the Messiah-redeemer, Matthew 1:21; Psalms 103:3-4. For there is complete, available redemption, to every penitent Through Him, Psalms 25:22; Psalms 119:9; 1 Peter 1:18-19.