Thank God, there’s a direct line from the depths of despair to the One on the Mercy Seat in heaven.
For those who like using the letter P (a favorite of preachers), Psalm 130 is the penultimate penitential psalm! They are Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 143, and this one, seven in all. These psalms are pleas for mercy, forgiveness, and restoration. The psalm is composed of three parts. Part 1 (vv 1-4) is a heart-to-heart conversation between the psalmist and the Lord, such a good thing to do. The Lord knows the whole story anyway; He’s waiting for us to agree with Him. In fact, this is the meaning of the word “confess” in 1 John 1:9, where homologōmen literally means “to speak the same thing.” It’s a dark, deep place we put ourselves in when we sin against the Lord. “Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord” (Ps 130:1). And there’s no way out unless the hand of mercy reaches down to deliver us. That’s why he prays, “Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications” (v 2). Clearly no minister, psychiatrist, or self-help guru can reach down that far. “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (v 3). Thankfully, “there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” (v 4). In Part 2 of the psalm, he sits a while in God’s waiting room. Often there’s a time lag between our request and His answer. “I wait for the Lord” (v 5). In fact, he says it three times. Wait. Wait. Wait for it. Why? This is a faith-building activity, and a reminder for the next time, that sin is no little matter. But we know He’ll eventually respond. “My soul waits, and in His word I do hope” (v 5). Part 3 (vv 7-8) is a call to others to be honest with God, particularly the nation of Israel. “O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption” (v 7). Yes, “He shall redeem” (v 8)!