Friday: Psalm 130 - Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord

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Psalm 130 is one of the fifteen Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134), which were likely sung by pilgrims as they journeyed up to Jerusalem for festivals. It is also counted among the seven penitential Psalms.

The Psalm moves through four key themes:

A cry from the depths (1-2): The psalmist calls out to God from a place of deep distress
Recognition of sin and forgiveness (3-4): Acknowledging that no one could stand if God counted sins, but finding hope in His forgiveness
Patient waiting (5-6): The psalmist expresses trust in God's Word and waiting with more eagerness than watchmen waiting for morning
Hope for redemption (7-8): The Psalm concludes with a call for all Israel to hope in the Lord's mercy and complete redemption

This Psalm beautifully expresses the movement from deep despair to confident hope in God's forgiveness and redemption. It remains a powerful testimony to God's mercy and has been a source of comfort for believers throughout the ages.

Luther said of this Psalm, “It treats of the chief article of doctrine necessary for salvation, namely, justification.”

Notice how this Psalm moves from prayer to preaching.

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PSALM 130

A Song of Ascents.

1 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications.

3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning— Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption. 8 And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities.

Reflection questions:

What are the petitions of Psalm 130? What are we praying for?
What are we praying against?
How could I add these things to my own prayers? What should I pray for? Who should I pray for?

Exercise

Compose a prayer with these expanded petitions.

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