Psa 130:1-3 | Clarke | STEP | The prayer of a penitent to God, with confession of sin, . Confidence in God's mercy, and waiting upon him, . Israel is encouraged to hope in the Lord, because of his willingness to save, , . This Psalm has no title nor author's name, either in the Hebrew, or in any of the Versions; though the Syriac says it was spoken of Nehemiah the priest. It was most probably composed during the captivity; and contains the complaint of the afflicted Jews, with their hopes of the remission of those sins which were the cause of their sufferings, and their restoration from captivity to their own land. This is one of those called penitential Psalms. Verse 1 Out of the depths - The captives in Babylon represent their condition like those who are in a prison - an abyss or deep ditch, ready to be swallowed up.

Psalms 130:1-3

Introduction

The prayer of a penitent to God, with confession of sin, Psa 130:1-3. Confidence in God's mercy, and waiting upon him, Psa 130:4-6. Israel is encouraged to hope in the Lord, because of his willingness to save, Psa 130:7, Psa 130:8.

This Psalm has no title nor author's name, either in the Hebrew, or in any of the Versions; though the Syriac says it was spoken of Nehemiah the priest. It was most probably composed during the captivity; and contains the complaint of the afflicted Jews, with their hopes of the remission of those sins which were the cause of their sufferings, and their restoration from captivity to their own land. This is one of those called penitential Psalms.

Verse 1

Out of the depths - The captives in Babylon represent their condition like those who are in a prison - an abyss or deep ditch, ready to be swallowed up. Verse 2

Lord, hear my voice - They could have no helper but God, and to him they earnestly seek for relief. Verse 3

If thou - shouldest mark iniquities - If thou shouldst set down every deviation in thought, word, and deed from thy holy law; and if thou shouldst call us into judgment for all our infidelities, both of heart and life; O Lord, who could stand? Who could stand such a trial, and who could stand acquitted in the judgment? This is a most solemn saying; and if we had not the doctrine that is in the next verse, who could be saved?