Psalm 130:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

NIV: I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

NASB: My soul waits in hope for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Yes, more than the watchmen for the morning.

CSB: I wait for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

NLT: I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

KJV: My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

NKJV: My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning— Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

The psalmist has prayed for the Lord's forgiveness (Psalm 130:1–4). He may be looking for some specific answer as he "waits" (Psalm 130:5). Or he may simply be proclaiming that He constantly looks to God for His will. This verse implies an eagerness to see the response. Watchmen have a difficult job; it can be mind-numbing to look out from a post in case an enemy appears. Those on duty overnight would look forward to dawn when they could rest. This is the attitude taken by the psalmist as he hopes for the Lord to answer.

Christians hope for Jesus' return to take them to their heavenly home (John 14:1–3). In the meantime, Christians should "renounce ungodliness and worldly passions" and "live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:12–13). The apostle John declares that hope of Jesus' appearing transforms how Christians live (1 John 3:3).

Psalm 130:5–6 declares a willingness to wait for God to respond to prayers for mercy (Psalm 130:1–2). A perfect God does not need to forgive anyone's sin (Psalm 130:3–4), but His constant and enduring love (Psalm 130:7–8) inspire confidence (Hebrews 4:16). Night watchmen eagerly await the dawn which means their work is done; in the same way the psalmist anticipates God's comforting forgiveness. Both Yahweh (Exodus 3:15) and Adonai—meaning "Lord"—are used here to refer to God.

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 12/18/2024 1:12:46 PM