Psalm 130:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!

NIV: A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;

NASB: Out of the depths I have cried to You, Lord.

CSB: A song of ascents. Out of the depths I call to you, Lord!

NLT: From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.

KJV: A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.

NKJV: {A Song of Ascents.} Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord;

The psalmist may have experienced personal tragedy. Or, he may have been suffering the consequences of some sin (Psalm 130:3–4). "The depths" is a common metaphor for deep distress and threats (Psalm 42:7; 69:2; 86:13). This typically suggests being far under water: a place dark, cold, crushing, and deadly.

Like the psalmist, everyone desperately needs to call on God, because sin deserves death (Romans 6:23). Since everyone has sinned (Romans 3:10), everyone needs salvation, and only the Lord can save. Jesus explained that the only way to receive this forgiveness was through a humble attitude of submission to God (Luke 18:9–14). One of the two men crucified beside Jesus recognized his desperate condition and called out for salvation (Luke 23:42). Jesus answered and accepted this man's plea (Luke 23:43).

Psalm 130:1–2 is prayed during some extreme difficulty. The psalmist seeks rescue from a situation which may have been caused by his own sin (Psalm 130:3–4). In the original Hebrew, the author uses two distinct words. One is Yahweh, the name claimed by God Himself (Exodus 3:15). The other is Adonai, a term literally meaning "Lord."

The Lord is absolutely right to judge sin. Nothing can match the standard of His perfection. So, the psalmist asks forgiveness and mercy, trusting entirely in God's nature. This hope is constant and sincere. The Lord is associated with loyal, persistent, caring love for the people of Israel. Despite the sins of the nation, God is ready to redeem them. The first three of four small segments alternate between two common words for God; the last only repeats the word Yahweh (Exodus 3:15).

Jerusalem is located on a series of mountains; going to the city meant ascending these slopes. Songs used by pilgrims headed to required feasts there (Deuteronomy 16:16) are labeled "of ascents" (Psalms 120—134). Each focuses on a theme. Here, the subject matter is the Lord's forgiveness towards the sins of His people. This ties to the idea of His mercy (Deuteronomy 4:31; Psalm 18:25; 111:4). It also connects to His loyal, steady love, from the important Hebrew term hesed (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 86:5; 103:4; Lamentations 3:22).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 3/30/2025 3:04:00 AM