Psalm 130

“Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.” Psalm 130:1-2 (NKJV)

Today we have another “song of ascents,” meant to be sung as the Jewish people were ascending to worship in Jerusalem, the “city on a hill.”  (Matthew 5:14-16)  So, picture the worshipper “ascending” to Jerusalem and crying to God from “out of the depths.”  What depths?  Specific to this psalmist, the depths of his personal sin!  Now, that is a message to which we can all relate because we each sin and must reconcile with the Holy God.  I am not speaking about being reconciled to Him for our eternal salvation; Jesus has reconciled us to God by His works, not ours.  No, I am talking about walking through life with the joy and peace of knowing there is not a reckoning awaiting us as the consequence for some ongoing sin that we are harboring, yet refusing to confront and surrender to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

“If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” Psalm 130:3 (NKJV)

This is the great human conundrum.  How can sinful man commune with a holy God?  If God solely operates within His holy judgment, we are hopeless.

“But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.” Psalm 130:4 (NKJV)

God, knowing we are merely human (by virtue of His holiness), has provided a way of forgiveness for us.  And He made it easy by making only ONE way of salvation through which all men everywhere must be saved: Messiah Jesus.  (John 3:16; John 14:6; Acts 17:24-31; Acts 4:12)  ONE way, yet accessible to ANYONE who wants it.

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning - yes, more than those who watch for the morning.”  Psalm 130:5-6 (NKJV)

Since Messiah Jesus is eternal, we sometimes need reminding that He existed in eternity past, as well as the fact that He will exist in eternity-future.  (John 1:1-14; Micah 5:2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6)  He is the source of salvation throughout History; before we knew Messiah Jesus as the Word-made-flesh or the Living Word, He existed as a member of the Trinity.  Today’s psalmist is expecting forgiveness and salvation as he journeys to Jerusalem.  How so?  Because of his faith in the Word of God and its promises to repentant sinners.  (Romans 10:17)  

“O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” Psalm 130:7-8 (NKJV)

The plea is for all men everywhere to repent, trust in the Living Word, and be saved!