Psalm 130

Read Psalm 130

“Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord!” As the Lord's pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem for festival worship in ancient days, there was no divine guarantee that their lives would get easier with every step that they took toward their destination. Along the journey toward God's temple, sincere worshipers might need to call out to their Lord from the depths of despair. They asked God to “be attentive” to their “pleas for mercy.”

The Lord's people have always relied on His abundant forgiveness. “If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” Their understanding of the kindness of the Almighty was not to be an excuse for foolish or undisciplined living. God's mercies should have always moved them to sincere repentance and reverent worship.

As they walked toward God, they waited for His tokens of unfailing compassion toward them. They put their hope in His Word, and they strengthened each other in the Lord with words of solid hope. “O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with Him is plentiful redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”

Millions of Jews and Gentiles have received the powerful Word of our Lord's great salvation. Our great Redeemer, Jesus, has ransomed us from sin and death. He will supply all our needs today as we continue on our journey to the celestial city.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord God, we cry to You again today. You have forgiven our many sins. Because of the mercies of Christ, we now wait for Him with hope. Your Son is our plentiful redemption. A day of the fullest joy is surely near.