USB ~ Psalms 130

Prayer for Pardon and Mercy

1 A song of ascents. Out of the depths† I call to you, LORD;

2 Lord, hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. a

3 If you, LORD, keep account of sins, Lord, who can stand? b

4 But with you is forgiveness and so you are revered.†

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits and I hope for his word. c

6 My soul looks for the Lord more than sentinels for daybreak. d More than sentinels for daybreak,

7 let Israel hope in the LORD, For with the LORD is mercy, with him is plenteous redemption, e

8 And he will redeem Israel from all its sins. f Psalm 130 This lament, a Penitential Psalm, is the De profundis* used in liturgical prayers for the faithful departed. In deep sorrow the psalmist cries to God (Ps 130:1-2), asking for mercy (Ps 130:3-4). The psalmist’s trust (Ps 130:5-6) becomes a model for the people (Ps 130:7-8).

Footnotes

†. 130:1 The depths: Sheol here is a metaphor of total misery. Deep anguish makes the psalmist feel “like those descending to the pit” (Ps 143:7).

†. 130:4 And so you are revered: the experience of God’s mercy leads one to a greater sense of God.

130:2 Ps 5:2-3; 55:2-3; 86:6; Lam 3:55-56; Jon 2:3.
130:3 Na 1:6.
130:5 Ps 119:81.
130:6 Is 21:11; 26:9.
130:7 Ps 86:15; 100:5; 103:8.
130:8 Ps 25:22; Mt 1:21.