Bible Commentaries
Psalms 130

Introduction

Psalms 130:0

STROPHE DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see “Guide to Good Bible Reading”)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

A. This is one of those Psalms that speaks to the deepest desires and hopes of faithful followers.

1. there are problems, sins, and disappointments

2. the believer cries out to his/her only hope, YHWH

3. He hears and forgives

4. He is faithful to His character and word even when humans are not (cf. Psalms 51:1)

B. There are several names for Israel's Deity used in the Psalm.

1. YHWH, Psalms 130:1; Psalms 130:1, Psalms 130:5, Psalms 130:7 (twice)

2. Yah, Psalms 130:3 (abbreviation of YHWH)

3. Adon, Psalms 130:3, Psalms 130:6

See SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY.

C. This Psalm expresses both individual and corporate yearning for restoration (cf. Psalms 130:7-8).

D. Notice the grammatical theological emphasis of Psalms 130:7-8.

Psalms 130:1. Psalms 130:7, “abundant redemption” (BDB 915 I, KB 1176, Hiphil infinitive absolute)

2. He (and He alone) will redeem - personal pronoun added to verb for emphasis

Verses 1-4

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 130:1-4 1Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord. 2Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. 3If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.

Psalms 130:1 “Out of the depths” This noun (BDB 771) has several figurative uses. It basically means “deep.”

1. distress described as a flood of waters, cf. Psalms 69:1-2, Psalms 69:14-15 (similar metaphor to Psalms 42:7a; Psalms 88:7)

2. YHWH as champion of watery chaos, cf. Isaiah 51:9-10 (similar to Psalms 74:12-17; Psalms 89:9-10)

3. the defeat of Tyre's sea power (i.e., sunk into the sea), cf. Ezekiel 27:34

4. possibly a reference to Sheol, cf. Jonah 2:2-6; Psalms 18:4-5)

▣ “I have cried to You” The exact nature of the psalmist's distress is not stated but it is related to his sense of sin (cf. Psalms 130:3-4). He feels alienated but knows God will forgive and restore a repentant, patient follower (cf. Psalms 130:5-6)!

Psalms 130:2 This verse reflects the psalmist's prayer mentioned in Psalms 130:1.

1. hear - BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal imperative

2. let Your ears be attentive - BDB 224, KB 243, Qal imperfect used in a jussive sense

Psalms 130:3-4 Several English translations make these two verses a separate strophe (i.e., NKJV, NRSV, NJB).

The reality of the sinfulness of all humans after the Fall of Genesis 3:0 is a recurrent truth throughout the Bible.

1. Genesis 3:17-19; Genesis 6:5, Genesis 6:11-12; Genesis 8:21

2. 1 Kings 8:46

3. 2 Chronicles 6:36

4. Ezra 9:15

5. Job 4:17; Job 9:2; Job 15:14-16; Job 25:4

6. Psalms 51:5; Psalms 76:7; Psalms 130:3; Psalms 143:2

7. Proverbs 20:9

8. Ecclesiastes 7:20

9. Isaiah 53:6

10. Nahum 1:6

11. Malachi 3:2

12. Romans 3:9-18, Romans 3:19, Romans 3:23; Romans 11:32

13. 1 John 1:8-10

14. Revelation 6:17

All need forgiveness! Humans do not sense a need for forgiveness until the Spirit clearly reveals our need. There is no need for a savior until there is a sense of lostness! See SPECIAL TOPIC: FORGIVENESS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.

Forgiveness is possible because of

1. the gracious, unchanging character of God (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD [OT])

2. the finished work of the Messiah (cf. Isaiah 53:0; Mark 10:45; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

3. the drawing, wooing of the Spirit (cf. John 6:44, John 6:65; John 16:8-15)

Psalms 130:3 “mark” This verb (BDB 1036, KB 1581, Qal imperfect) denotes, in this context, the preserving of a record. This is reflected in the “two books” of God (i.e., book of deeds/remembrances and the book of life, see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TWO BOOKS OF GOD of God). This is a metaphor for the memory of God.

It is ironic but God is asked again and again to forget our sins (i.e., Psalms 79:8; Psalms 106:6; Isaiah 64:9; Micah 7:18) but remember His promises. On Judgment Day the books will be opened (cf. Daniel 7:10; Revelation 20:12)!

Psalms 130:4 “feared” The outcome of a free and full forgiveness by a gracious God is the restoration of the personal relationship with God (i.e., lost in the Fall of Genesis 3:0), which is/was/will be the goal of creation. We were created by Him and for Him. Fear is the appropriate awe that He is due. Forgiveness results in fellowship! See Special Topic: Fear (OT).

Verses 5-8

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 130:5-8 5I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. 6My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. 7O Israel, hope in the Lord; For with the Lord there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption. 8And He will redeem Israel From all his iniquities.

Psalms 130:5-8 This strophe emphasizes the theme of the patience of faithful followers in God and trust in His word (cf. Psalms 130:5). The concept of “waiting in faith” is expressed in this strophe by two words.

1. BDB 875, KB 1082 - Psalms 130:5 (twice) and assumed in Psalms 130:6, cf. Psalms 25:3, Psalms 25:21; Psalms 27:14; Psalms 40:1; Psalms 56:7

2. BDB 403, KB 407 - Psalms 130:5, Psalms 130:7, cf. Psalms 38:15; Psalms 42:5; Psalms 43:5

This is the place where the sovereignty of God intercedes the required volitional response of fallen mankind. Faithful followers choose to wait, hope, trust in God and His promises, even when circumstances and feeling scream to take a different path!

Psalms 130:6 This metaphor of longing anticipation is similar to Psalms 42:1-2. God's people long for Him!

▣ “soul” See full note at Genesis 35:18 online at www.freebiblecommentary.org.

Psalms 130:7 As the psalmist longs, waits, hopes, and trusts in YHWH, he now calls on God's people collectively to do the same.

Notice how YHWH is characterized.

1. in Him is lovingkindness (i.e., covenant, loyal love, see Special Topic: Lovingkindness [hesed])

2. in Him is “abundant redemption” (Psalms 130:7c)

3. in Him (and no other, cf. REB) is redemption (noun in Psalms 130:7 and verb in Psalms 130:8, see SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM) for all those who trust in Him (i.e., the covenant people, see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT and Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan)

Remember biblical faith is corporate. It is a family! Be careful of the modern western over-emphasis on the individual. Salvation has a corporate focus! We are saved to serve. The goal of individual salvation is the health and growth of the body of believers!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.

1. What feelings come to your mind/heart after reading Psalms 130:1-4?

2. What do you think “depths” means?

3. Does God keep a record of sins?

4. Does Psalms 130:5-6 describe how you feel about God and His word?