4. Pardon produces filial fear and love. Judgment without the hope of pardon creates fear and dislike. The sense of forgiveness, so far from producing licentiousness, produces holiness (Jeremiah 33:9; Ezekiel 16:62; Ezekiel 16:63; 1 Peter 2:16). "There is forgiveness with thee, not that thou mayest be presumed upon, but feared." read more
5, 6. wait for the Lord—in expectation (Psalms 27:14). watch for, &c.—in earnestness and anxiety. read more
1. A desperate cry for mercy 130:1-2The writer felt that he was at the very bottom of his resources, at the end of his rope (cf. Psalms 30:2-3; Psalms 71:20). This expression stresses the urgency of his request. The particular situation he faced is unknown, but in view of Psalms 130:8 it may have been oppression by an enemy. read more
Psalms 130The poet uttered a cry for God to show mercy to His people, and he encouraged his fellow Israelites to wait for the Lord to deliver them. This is one of the penitential psalms, as well as an individual lament and a psalm of ascent. read more
2. A strong expression of trust 130:3-4The psalmist realized that if God gave people what they deserve, no one would be able to survive. To mark iniquities means to keep a record of them and hold the sinner accountable for each one. Fortunately God forgives. He does not "keep track" of every sin and exact punishment for it. The psalmist was speaking of how God deals with His redeemed people. The consequence of God forgiving should be that His forgiven people fear Him. Fearing God, a term that... read more
The writer purposed to continue to wait for the Lord to deliver him while he reflected on God’s forgiveness. He compared himself to a guard on duty late at night. He could only wait for the morning light when someone else would relieve him, and when all that was now dark would then be clear. read more
3. A deliberate decision to hope 130:5-8 read more
The De Profundis—a song of redemption from trouble through faith in God. Probably a very late Ps. The Ps. is antiphonal. First voice (Psalms 130:1-2), Second voice (3, 4), First voice (5, 6), Chorus (7, 8).1. Out of the depths] i.e. from sore trouble.4. Feared] Rather a startling statement. But the fear of God means true, earnest religion: cp. Psalms 19:10; Genesis 20:11. 6. RV ’more than watchmen look for the morning,’ i.e. impatiently. 7. Plenteous redemption] i.e. abundant means of effecting... read more
(3) If thou.—The word rendered “mark” is “watch” in Psalms 130:6. If “Jah” were to watch for men’s lapses, as one watches for the dawn, nothing but signal punishment could follow. So Job (Job 10:14; Job 14:16) actually believed God did watch; while the prophets Jeremiah (Jeremiah 3:5) and Amos (Amos 1:11) use the word of the strict care taken that the consequences should follow the sin. It is a fact worthy of attention, that misfortune provokes at this crisis, in this people so profoundly... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 130:3
3. shouldest mark—or, "take strict account" (Job 10:14; Job 14:16), implying a confession of the existence of sin. who shall stand— (Job 14:16- :). Standing is opposed to the guilty sinking down in fear and self-condemnation (Malachi 3:2; Revelation 6:15; Revelation 6:16). The question implies a negative, which is thus more strongly stated. read more