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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 130:1-4

In these verses we are taught, I. Whatever condition we are in, though ever so deplorable, to continue calling upon God, Ps. 130:1. The best men may sometimes be in the depths, in great trouble and affliction, and utterly at a loss what to do, in the depths of distress and almost in the depths of despair, the spirit low and dark, sinking and drooping, cast down and disquieted. But, in the greatest depths, it is our privilege that we may cry unto God and be heard. A prayer may reach the heights... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 130:1

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Out of deep waters, out of the depths of the sea; not literally, as Jonah, who really was there, and from thence cried unto the Lord, Jonah 2:2 ; but figuratively; meaning that he had been in the depths of sin, or brought into a low estate by it, as all men are: they are brought into debt by it, and so to a prison, the prison of the law, to be under its sentence of curse and condemnation; to a ditch, a horrible pit, a pit wherein is no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 130:2

Lord, hear my voice ,.... His prayer, which was vocal: God is a God hearing prayer; sometimes his people think he does not hear them; but he always does, and in his own time answers; for to hear prayer with him is to answer it; which he does likewise in his own way as well as time; and not always in the way and at the time his people would have him; let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications ; his prayers put up in an humble suppliant manner, for grace and mercy; not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 130:1

Out of the depths - The captives in Babylon represent their condition like those who are in a prison - an abyss or deep ditch, ready to be swallowed up. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 130:2

Lord, hear my voice - They could have no helper but God, and to him they earnestly seek for relief. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 130:1

Verse 1 1.Out of the deep places have I cried to thee, O Jehovah! It is to be noticed that the Prophet speaks of himself as sending forth his voice, as it were from out of a deep gulf, (118) feeling himself overwhelmed with calamities. As the miseries to which there is no prospect of a termination commonly bring despair in their train, nothing is more difficult than for persons, when involved in grievous and deep sorrow, to stir up their minds to the exercise of prayer. And it is wonderful,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 130:1

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord (comp. Psalms 69:2 , Psalms 69:14 ; Isaiah 51:10 ; Ezekiel 27:34 ). "The depths" are the lowest abysses of calamity. They have not, however, separated Israel from God, but have rather brought him to God. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 130:1

The cry of the humbled. The psalm belongs to the age of true national contrition, when nothing would satisfy but deliverance from sin, as well as from its punishment (comp. Lamentations 3:55 ; Jonah 2:2 ). When men are disheartened and depressed, overwhelmed with anxieties and troubles, we familiarly speak of them as "down in the depths." It is a natural and universal figure. " On the hills" represents excitement and joy; "in the depths" represents depression and anxiety. "This psalm... 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

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