Psalms 130:1-8

After the backward look there would fittingly be an inward look as the worshipper approached the place of worship. This is always a disquieting look. There is no confession here of specific sins, but the cry is “out of the depths,” and the figure suggests the singer's sense of deep need.

What the cause is may certainly be gathered from the apprehensive sigh, “If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” If the sense is of the nation's distress with sin. All this is background which flings into bright relief the confidence of the soul in Jehovah as a pardoning and redeeming Lord. Some of the most beautiful things in the Psalter, or indeed in the Bible, are here. It was a Welshman in the midst of the wonderful revival of 1905 who rendered verse Psalms 130:4, “There is forgiveness with Thee- enough to frighten us!” which if not accurate translation is fine exposition. The deepest note in all true worship is this sense of “plenteous redemption,” and the perfection of Jehovah's love as thus manifested. To mark iniquities would be to fill us with despair. To redeem from all iniquities is to inspire us with hope.