Psalm 130
The essence of the Gospel pervades this hymn. Sin is seen
in its odious character. Its due penalties are acknowledged. But forgiveness
is proclaimed as leading to reverential sense of God's holiness. The soul
waits for the Lord, who is rich in mercy and redeeming love, and ready to
blot out every iniquity.
1-2. "Out of the depths have I cried to You, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my
supplications."
The speaker cries in deep sense of sin. Convinced by the
Spirit of the appalling evil, he lies in the lowest depths of misery. All
the billows of wrath seem to be passing over him. There is no shadow of help
but in God. With earnest cries he lifts up the supplicating voice.
3. "If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who
shall stand?"
Confession is made of utter ruin. Our natural state is a
mass of evil. Thus in ourselves we stand justly exposed to all wrath. Let us
continually pray, Enter not into judgment with your servant, O Lord, for in
Your sight shall no man living be justified.
4. "But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be
feared."
The mercy of mercies here shines forth. God appears
glorious on redemption's throne. He has provided forgiveness in the cross of
Calvary. Christ's precious blood washes out every stain of guilt. His
righteousness covers all our transgressions. Who will not love and bless
God! Those who love Him cannot but love His holy ways, and dread nothing
more than to stray from the Gospel-rule.
5-6. "I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in
His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for
the morning; I say, more than those who watch for the morning."
The Lord has promised never to leave or forsake or forget
His people. He will visit them with the plenitude of His lovingkindness. He
will bless them with the multitude of His tender mercies. For these sweet
manifestations the believer continually waits. He looks out from His
watchtower as one watching for the morning, who knows that in the appointed
time the welcome rays will illumine the eastern sky.
7-8. "Let Israel hope in the Lord; for with the Lord
there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem
Israel from all his iniquities."
In great mercy we are called to the full assurance, that
our hope in God shall never be disappointed. Reality will surpass all
expectation. Mercy sits beside Him on His throne, and ever loves to visit
and cheer the ransomed people. The redemption decreed and accomplished is a
cup which ever overflows. We cannot exhaust it. It is more than sufficient
for all our need. Every sin shall disappear, and we shall be presented
before the throne, holy and pure as our Lord is holy and pure. Happy are
those who know the Gospel's joyful sound!