Reflections on Psalm 130 —

The more we realize how corrupt we are, the more we will appreciate the mercy, forgiveness, and salvation of God.

Of all the psalms in the Songs of Ascent, Psalm 130 most clearly shows us the purpose, importance, and meaning behind God’s judgment, perhaps of life itself. It is a key psalm in Book 5 for sure, for it plainly speaks of God’s mercy and salvation, the major theme of Book 5. But in the bigger picture, Psalm 130 can be seen as a summary of the entire Bible. 

Notice the concluding words of Psalm 130:

“O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” 

— Psalm 130:7-8

When we consider the entirety of the psalms, the conditions of Book 1 and the enemies and judgments of Books 2, 3, and 4, we see the reason behind it all in Psalm 130. God loves His people. But they are sinful, corrupt to the core. To have any hope of becoming the people He intended them to be, He must refine them through hard judgments, through correction and discipline, to bring them to maturity. He must use adversaries–difficult people or spirits of darkness–to make things uncomfortable for them. 

They will find themselves at wits’ end, incredulous at having to endure such bitter judgment. But if they have any faith, they will throw off their old ways and cry out for God’s help: ”Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord…hear my voice!” (Psalm 130:1-2). 

And when God doesn’t answer immediately, they will not grow weary. They will wait and hope (Psalm 130:5-6). How many so-called Christians fall by the wayside because they have no patience?  Waiting is an essential part of faith. You cannot have faith without waiting. Look how many parables involve seeds growing into plants. That doesn’t happen in a moment. The farmer must wait for it (James 5:7), and so must all who believe.  If they can wait, if they can endure the trial by clinging to the provisions God gives them, He will bring them through it. He will save them from their sins. 

Often it is only then that they understand the benefit of the hard judgment. For the first time, they will look back and see themselves for what they were and what they’ve become. They will begin to realize what God has done. He has forgiven their sins (Psalm 130:4)–an extremely gracious act, given that the sins of a man are too numerous to count (Psalm 130:3). 

The more someone understands their impossibly sinful condition and their frightful state before God, the more he appreciates how valuable this forgiveness is. If he is honest with himself, if he can admit to his corruption–his selfishness, pride, contempt, vanity, lust, greed, worldliness, and the whole lot of it–he will be overwhelmed by God’s grace. He will ask, “how could God forgive a wretch like me?” He will fall down in gratitude. The more he realizes his sin, the more He will love God and appreciate Him (Luke 7:47). He will fear God, and worship Him. This is the psalmist’s understanding, for he says, “…there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” (Psalm 130:4).