This psalm expresses a soul crying out to God from a place of turmoil and unworthiness, seeking forgiveness and redemption. It contrasts the cry of the psalmist's soul that waits for God, hoping in his word, more than those whose job is to watch for the morning. The psalm conveys that only through God is there forgiveness and redemption from sin for those in relationship with him. It encourages Israel to hope in the Lord because of his unfailing love and abundant redemption.

1. Out of the depths I cry
a soul in turmoil
Both a lament and a thanksgiving
Psalm 130

2. A song on the way to worship
in a minor key
Out of the depths
I cry to You

3. Of the 15 road songs of ascent
it may be unexpected that as we start
drawing to the end the tone becomes
more somber
As if drawing
nearer to God is
stirring up feelings
of unworthiness and need

4. Psalm 130English Standard Version (ESV)
My Soul Waits for the Lord
A Song of Ascents.
130
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2
O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
He cries to Yahweh the covenant God
then cries to adonai, the sovereign lord
the God who loves me
and the God who can do something about it
The cry has urgency, framed as an imperative

5. 3
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
a right relationship with God on his own merits?
salvation can only be a gift

6. 4
But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
forgiven with an appreciative
respect for God

7. 5
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
my soul waits for the Lord more…
…more than men who’s job it is

8. 7
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8
And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.
A hope
an appeal based on who God is