Psalms 130:1-2. Out of the depths Being overwhelmed with deep distresses and terrors, and ready to despair; have I cried unto thee “Like another Jonas, entombed in the whale’s belly, and surrounded by all the waves of the ocean.” Observe, reader, “Fervent prayer will find its way through every obstruction to the ears of him who sitteth upon his holy hill.” read more
Psalm 129-131 Preparing for worshipThinking back on the sorrows of Israel’s history, the travellers recall that ever since the days of the nation’s ‘youth’ in Egypt, Israel has had suffering. The backs of the people had been whipped when they were slaves, but God cut the cords that bound them in slavery and set them free (129:1-4). Now again they are troubled by those who hate them. They pray that God will turn back their enemies and make them as useless as stalks of grass that wither and die... read more
Title. A Song of degrees. Same as 120. See App-67 . depths. Symbolical of distress. Compare Psalms 42:7 ; Psalms 66:12 ; Psalms 69:2 . read more
PSALM 130PRAYING FOR THE MORNING OF GOD'S FORGIVENESSThis psalm is an earnest prayer for the forgiveness of sins, not of the nation of Israel, but of a sinner who cries "out of the depths" unto the Lord. We have often noted that the absolute forgiveness of sins was not available under the Mosaic Law, nor anywhere else until the coming of Christ and his atoning death on Calvary. However, this psalmist, recognizing the agonizing sorrow of his penitent heart called to God for a forgiveness which... read more
Psalms 130:0. The Psalmist professeth his hope in prayer, and his patience in hope: he exhorteth Israel to hope in God. A Song of Degrees. Title. המעלות שׁיר Shiir hammangaloth.] Bishop Patrick observes, that some think this psalm was composed by David after the affair of Bathsheba (see Psalms 130:3-4.); but that in his opinion it was composed by him after the persecution of Saul: nevertheless, it cannot be said to be his with any certainty, and perhaps it may be more applicable to the times... read more
1, 2. depths—for great distress (Psalms 40:2; Psalms 69:3). 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
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
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 130:1
Out of the depths - The word rendered “depths” is from a verb - עמק ‛âmaq - which means to be deep; then, to be unsearchable; then, to make deep; and it would apply to anything low, deep, or profound, as the ocean, a pit, or a valley. The word used here occurs elsewhere only in the following places: Psalms 69:2, Psalms 69:14, where it is rendered “deep,” applied to waters; and Isaiah 51:10; Ezekiel 27:34, where it is rendered “depths.” The word, as used here, would be applicable to deep... read more