Good Wednesday morning to you! May the LORD’s peace reign over you and your loved ones today!Read Psalm 130. Selah.
Psalm 130 is one of the 15 psalms that are titled “A Song of Ascents”. These songs were lifted up by God’s people as they made their way up to Jerusalem to worship the LORD. But even the structure of this particular psalm is noteworthy – it begins, quite literally, with the psalmist’s cry from the depths and ends with the abundant redemption that only our LORD can give us. So, even spiritually, Psalm 130 is truly “a song of ascents”!
As you read this little psalm, be attentive to the following:
The psalm opens with a lament – a cry to the LORD. But this plea is not because the writer is being pursued or persecuted or harmed. No, this appeal to God is made because the psalmist acknowledges his own iniquity (Hebrew ‘avon, meaning perversity, moral evil, fault, iniquity, mischeif, sin). Truly, this is a man that recognizes the DEPTH of his sin; and his need for the LORD’s forgiveness.
Next, the psalmist recognizes that no man could stand before the LORD if the LORD were to choose to keep account of that man’s sins. Acknowledging that the LORD is the source of forgiveness, the writer then purposefully shifts to waiting on the LORD; and hoping in His word.
Finally, the psalm closes with a marvelous affirmation (vv 7): “For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption.” Not just redemption, but abundant redemption!
My friend, each of us can learn from the pattern contained in this passage. And if you are despairing today – feeling guilt or condemnation or failure or simply like you have fallen short – repent and return to Him. Raise your cry to our Good God! Know that He will hear, He will forgive, and He will restore and ABUNDANTLY redeem you!
This promise is echoed in Isaiah 55, which says “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”
LORD, I thank You that You do not mark my iniquity, and I confess that I need Your forgiveness. Thank You, LORD, for the abundant redemption You have already purchased for me through Your Precious Son, Jesus! Help me to walk always in the goodness and certainty of Your forgiveness! Amen!
