PSALM 130
Jason Coghill
Book of Psalms – Heb. “praises” Songs & prayers of praise. Not necc. = “Pos.”
Beauty & reality of Psalms lies in fact that it’s most comp. & personal.
Luther: “You might rightly call the Psalter a Bible in minature.”
Compreh. b/c they speak of the majesty of God; the Kingship of God, and coming “King of Kings”; the covenant promises of God; the God of creation; the law of God; the Judgement of God; the salvation of God. There are Historical Psalms; Wisdom Psalms; Lament Psalms; Thanksgiving Psalms…….Comprehensive!!
Yet, as Allan Harman: Don’t just speak to us, but also for us. They’re personal.
Can’t think of human condition/emotion that Psalms wouldn’t touch on, at least princ.
Are you poor & needy? The Psalms can speak for you. Are you deeply depressed? The Psalms can speak for you. Are you afraid? Are you suffering physical or spiritual anguish?.... Are you rejoicing?..... Do you have happiness & peace?.....
Are you not a Christian? Know nothing of God’s mercy & love? Read Ps. 32 & ask Q.
In fact many Psalms can point you in the way of salvation, incl. the one we now turn to.
Psalm 130, classified as a Penitential psalms, (sorrow for sin), as Ps. 51 & 32.
No specific mention of personal sins, but implied in vs. 3 & 4. Also, vs.7 & 8.
A CRY…for mercy from God (vs.1 & 2)
“Out of the depths…” Not a shallow, petty, minor situation. But a deep, serious situation brought about, not only by his own sin, but, judging from other passages with similar wording, the sins of others around him:
Same wording in Ps. 28:2 “Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to you.” Context here is not so much personal sin, but it’s a cry for mercy b/c of the wicked, who “speak peace to their neighbours, but evil is in their hearts.” and “do not regard the works of the LORD.”
Psalm 6 is similar: “My soul is greatly troubled…Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity…for the LORD has heard my supplication.”
Israelites, out of the depths of slavery, cried out to God, & we read, “God heard their groaning and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac & Jacob.” Ex.2
Blind Bartimaeus, (Mk 10), out of the depths of poverty, begging from roadside, “Son of David…” x2!!
Bros & Sis, let’s not conform to pattern… “Big boys don’t cry.” Mature people don’t…
When we’re in the depths, (b/c our sin or others), note this 1st verse…..
And be assured, (from above texts, & later), that the plea of vs.2 will be answered.
A CONFIRMATION… of forgiveness from God (vs.3 & 4)
“mark iniquities… I.E, take watchful note of; keep a record of. We do this don’t we?
Psalmist saying, “What if you O LORD, who sees all, & knows all I’ve done…If you..”
“…who could stand?” I.E, In the presence of a holy and just God. Cf. Ps.1
Who could continue with or dwell with God? Who could be justified & righteous b4..
A rhetorical Q. i.e. Q where answer is implied.
Psalmist knows answer is No One!!
He says so in [Ps.143:1,2] Parallel pass. Notice similar wording.
2 other texts that confirm this: Rom. 3:23 – “all have sinned and fall short…”
Rom. 3:10 – “there is none righteous, no, not one” Neg. side of gospel.
Vs.4 = Pos side. Indicated by that word “but”. Blessed word! Hopeful word…
You apply for job… Employer calls & says, “Sorry you were unsuccessful…However..
“But…” (same meaning). At this point, your hope starts to rise… “another position..
Doctor says, “Results of X-ray showed a small growth just below left breast…but... (suddenly fear turns to hope), “but, it’s not cancerous & easily removed”
[Read vs. 3&4]
“Forgiveness…” Forgiveness for his iniquity/sins. Not b/c of burnt offerings or blood sacrifices req’d (in Leviticus). Cf. Ps.40 & 51 – Sacrifices & offerings not the basis…
Hebrews says, these are a shadow/type pointing to the reality of the ultimate sacrifice for sins –the God man Jesus Christ, perfect lamb of God who takes away our sins.
[Read Heb.9:13-15]
This is an awesome, amazing fearful thing. I say fearful, b/c that should be response.
Look at what it says, vs.4
“therefore you are feared…” Therefore highest love & reverence/awe are due.
Cf. Ps.2 “Rejoice…with trembling”
M.H – “It is our unspeakable comfort, in all our approaches to God, that there is forgiveness with him, for that is what we need.”
A CONFIDENCE... in waiting for God (vs.5 & 6)
Not waiting to see if Lord may forgive, but when Lord will forgive. Heb. “to expect”
Hopeful expectation of God’s mercy. How hopeful? 2 indications:
1/ Repetition: usually indicates importance. Tells us 3 times in 2 verses!
2/ E.g of Watchman: (which also includes rep!); “More than those who watch…”
Who are those who watch? You’ve heard “Night Watchman” at factory, Gov. Building
Comes from the bible! In Biblical times, watchman would guard whole towns, Ps.127
Watchmen waited for the dawn with eagerness, patience, confidence…
Psalmist says, “I’ll do it even more, for God!
On what grounds/basis? Vs.5 – “In His word I do hope”
The W.O.G Not word of man! He knows, “..better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man or princes.”
His hope is W.O.G not current sociological/psychological counsel. He knows W.O.G!!
He’s experienced it in past: Perhaps he remembered God’s word to him thru Nathan…
“The LORD has taken away your sin…you are not going to die”
Or perhaps he recalled God’s word to him in Ps.32 – “I acknowledged my sin to you & did not cover….. I said, I’ll confess….forgave the guilt of my sin”
He had a confidence in waiting for the Lord. Christian, learn from this! If David, who only had “shadow of the good things to come”, (Heb.10), so waited for Lord…
How much more we who have “the reality” the fullness of salvation revealed!!
Listen to Heb.9:27 – “As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
Christian do you know God’s Word? No confidence in waiting if not! Do you “meditate on it daily” Ps.1 Have you “hid it in heart…” ps.119. If not, no confidence
But if so, put yourself in vs.5 & 6 & claim them for yourself!!
A CONVEYING... to others (vs. 7 & 8). Encouraging his people.
What he has discovered…wants rest of God’s people to be reminded of.
Similar Ps. 32 “Therefore, let everyone who is Godly”. “We cannot help but speak...”
Why? B/c with the Lord is “mercy” – “steadfast love” a sure, unfailing love.
Unfailing love b/c it’s the greatest love; and “greater love has no man than this…”
“abundant redemption” - Plenty redemption; full redemption! Jesus said, “I have come that ye may have life…” (Jn.10) Also, “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.” (Jn.10)
Vs.8 – “redeem” – buy back as a ransom. Again, pointing to Jesus Christ: Listen to Heb. again: [9:15] – “…now He (Christ) has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
“from all his iniquities.” Jesus takes away our sins past, present & future!
Christian, be reminded & encouraged!
When in the depths…Cry out…. Your forgiveness will be Confirmed…Be Confindednt as you wait… Convey or remind & tell your brethren.
A word to any who do not believe & no this great mercy & love of God:
Go back 3 Psalms, Ps.127:1 – “Unless the Lord builds…”
You must see yourself in Vs. 1 & 2 of our text. You must see your need to cry…
And let me qualify important thing re Vs.3. Lord does mark you sins, esp. unbelief!
And unless your sin is dealt with it will remain marked…
And depth from which Psalmist cries is shallow compared to depths of hell.
Today is the day of salvation…of forgiveness…of steadfast love…of abundant redemption.
© copyright 2010 Jason Coghill. All rights reserved.
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