Worthy.Bible » ASV » Psalms » Chapter 130 » Verse 1-8

Psalms 130:1-8 American Standard (ASV)

1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Jehovah.

2 Lord, hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications.

3 If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

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

5 I wait for Jehovah, my soul doth wait, And in his word do I hope.

6 My soul `waiteth' for the Lord More than watchmen `wait' for the morning; `Yea, more than' watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in Jehovah; For with Jehovah there is lovingkindness, And with him is plenteous redemption.

8 And he will redeem Israel From all his iniquities. Psalm 131 A Song of Ascents; of David.

Commentary on Psalms 130 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 130

Ps 130:1-8. The penitent sinner's hope is in God's mercy only.

1, 2. depths—for great distress (Ps 40:2; 69:3).

3. shouldest mark—or, "take strict account" (Job 10:14; 14:16), implying a confession of the existence of sin.

who shall stand—(Ps 1:6). Standing is opposed to the guilty sinking down in fear and self-condemnation (Mal 3:2; Re 6:15, 16). The question implies a negative, which is thus more strongly stated.

4. Pardon produces filial fear and love. Judgment without the hope of pardon creates fear and dislike. The sense of forgiveness, so far from producing licentiousness, produces holiness (Jer 33:9; Eze 16:62, 63; 1Pe 2:16). "There is forgiveness with thee, not that thou mayest be presumed upon, but feared."

5, 6. wait for the Lord—in expectation (Ps 27:14).

watch for, &c.—in earnestness and anxiety.

7, 8. Let Israel, &c.—that is, All are invited to seek and share divine forgiveness.

from all his iniquities—or, "punishments of them" (Ps 40:12, &c.).