Read Psalm 130
Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of song is this (superscript)? Where has the psalmist been (Psalm 130:1)? To Whom did he cry? What was his first, great request (Psalm 130:2)? What circumstance makes it so urgent that he be heard (Psalm 130:3)? What hope does he have in this guilt (Psalm 130:4a)? Unto what end (verse 4b)? So, for What (Whom!) does he wait (Psalm 130:5), and how intensely? How can he be sure of the outcome, despite the delay (verse 5b)? Whom else does he tell to do this (Psalm 130:7a)? Why—what does YHWH have/offer (verse 7b)? How much of it (verse 7c)? And what will He do (Psalm 130:8a)? How much (verse 8b)?
Who is the Lord? Psalm 130 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord is the merciful God Who hears and forgives us.
The Hearer of prayer. There is no height greater than God’s glory, and therefore there is no depth lower (Psalm 130:1) than knowing one’s guilt against God and His glory. But, even from such a low depth, the Scripture has taught the believer that he may hope (Psalm 130:5b) to have his cries heard by the living God (Psalm 130:2). What a generous gift and privilege is “heard prayer”! And the believer knows that God is glorified as the Hearer of prayer (cf. Psalm 65:1–2), and Forgiver of iniquities (Psalm 130:3-4).
The Forgiver of sin. The great test of this faith is when relief does not immediately come. Are we so sure that God is this Forgiver that He says He is—that He has given His Son to be our atonement and our righteousness—that, even when our conscience is not finding this comfort (cf. 1 John 3:20), we continue to wait for Him as our only hope (Psalm 130:5-6)? We must wait only upon Him for this relief, for however long He takes.
The Receiver of praise. Once we have this relief, however, we are renewed in our desire that everyone would bring Him glory for the marvelous blessing of forgiveness. We cannot wait to come into the public worship, where we are gathered as “Israel” (Psalm 130:7), stirring up one another’s faith in the Lord for redemption, and praise to Him for that redemption. It is abundant; there is more than enough for all of His Israel to be redeemed from all of His iniquities (Psalm 130:8)! How great is the glory of this Hearer of our prayer, Forgiver of our iniquities, and Receiver of our worship!
When have you felt your guilt to the point that it brought you into the depths? When have you had to wait upon the Lord for His forgiveness to come home to your conscience? What should you do with your voice and your heart in this waiting? How does personal redemption fuel your desire for corporate worship?
Sample prayer: Lord, we praise You for glorifying Yourself by hearing us and forgiving us. Truly, with You there is steadfast love and abundant redemption! Be glorified by Your Israel, who wait upon You for this mercy, through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP130 “Lord, from the Depths to You I Cried” or TPH130A “Lord, from the Depths”