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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 130:3

Verse 3 3.If thou, O God! shoudst mark iniquities (119) Here the Prophet acknowledges that although grievously afflicted, he had justly deserved such punishment, as had been inflicted upon him. As by his own example he gives a rule which the whole Church ought to observe, let no man presume to intrude himself into the presence of God, but in the way of humbly deprecating his wrath; and especially when God exercises severity in his dealings towards us, let us know that we are required to make... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 130:4

Verse 4 4.But with thee there is forgiveness. This verse leads us farther. Though all men confess with the mouth that there is no human being in the world whom God may not justly adjudge to everlasting death, should it so please him, yet how few are persuaded of the truth which the Prophet now adds, that the grace of which they stand in need shall not be denied them? They either sleep in their sins through stupidity, or fluctuate amidst a variety of doubts, and, at length, are overwhelmed with... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 130:5

Verse 5 5.I have waited for Jehovah. After having testified in general that God is ready to show mercy to poor sinners who betake themselves to him, the Psalmist concludes that he is thereby encouraged to entertain good hope. The past tense in the verbs wait and trust is put for the present. I have waited for I wait; I have hoped for I hope. The repetition occurring in the first part of the verse is emphatic; and the word soul gives additional emphasis, implying, as it does, that the Prophet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 130:1-8

Penitence and hope. We have the psalmist hero in— I. THE DEPTH OF SOME GREAT DISTRESS . It may be some severe loss he has sustained, and consequent loneliness of soul; or it may be some great disappointment of his hopes or defeat by the enemy; or it may be the persecution of those who reproach him for serious inconsistency; or it may be peril in which his cause or his life is threatened; or it may be a sad sense of personal unworthiness. Bat, whatever it may have been, it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 130:1-8

De profundis. This psalm, whose date, authorship, and special reference no one certainly knows, nevertheless presents to us three marked stages in the experience of the writer of the psalm. I. IN THE DEPTHS . ( Psalms 130:1-3 .) Undoubtedly he knew what these were; and very deep depths they appear to have been. 1. His sad condition seems to have been brought about , not so much by any outward circumstances of his life , as by some inward spiritual distress . His... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 130:1-8

A cry to God for the forgiveness of sin. I. THE PROFOUND MISERY WHICH THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF SIN PRODUCES . ( Psalms 130:1-3 .) "Out of the depths. If thou shouldest mark," etc; iniquities, other "depths" than the depths of poverty or bodily affliction. II. THE STRONGEST MOTIVE TO THE REVERENT FEAR OF GOD . ( Psalms 130:4 .) "God freely forgives sin—not that men may think lightly of sin, but that they may magnify his grace and mercy in its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 130:2

Lord, hear my voice ; i . e . "hear and grant my request;" or, as explained in the next clause, let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 130:3

If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities . The Prayer-book paraphrase gives the true sense, "If thou, Lord, shouldest be extreme to mark what is done miss." If thou didst not "hide our transgressions" and "cover up" half our sins—then, O Lord, who shall stand ?. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 130:3

The fears of conscience. In pleading for her father's life before the first Napoleon, a poor girl said, "Sire, I do not ask for justice; I implore pardon." The inward sense of our sin will never permit us to make a claim for anything before God. His love of forgiving, and triumph over all hindrances in the way of forgiving, are our only pleas, and our only grounds of hope. The searching character of the Divine inspection is indicated in Psalms 139:1-24 , and in Hebrews 4:12 , Hebrews... read more

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