Psalms 130:1

The Psalmist professeth his hope in prayer, and his patience in hope: he exhorteth Israel to hope in God.

A Song of Degrees.

Title. המעלות שׁיר Shiir hammangaloth.] Bishop Patrick observes, that some think this psalm was composed by David after the affair of Bathsheba (see Psalms 130:3.); but that in his opinion it was composed by him after the persecution of Saul: nevertheless, it cannot be said to be his with any certainty, and perhaps it may be more applicable to the times soon after the captivity; for it seems rather to relate to the distress of the nation at large, than to that of any one particular person. The Syriac translators understand it so; for in their title of it, they refer it to the times of Nehemiah. Mr. Mudge observes, that the psalm has two states; in the first of which the author prays God to forgive him his sins, and to remit the consequences of them, in strong expectation that pursuant to his word he would grant his prayer. In the second, he has obtained his request, and encourages therefore all his brethren to put their trust in God, for redeeming them from their sins, and the punishment of them.

Psalms 130:1. Out of the depths— "Out of the deep waters, with which I am almost overwhelmed." By these is frequently represented, as we have observed, the extremity of affliction. See Psalms 69:2; Psalms 69:36.