The psalmist professes his hope in prayer, 1-4; and his patience in hope, 5, 6. He exhorts Israel to trust in God, 7, 8.
1 [A Song of Degrees.]
Out of the depths I have cried to you, O LORD.
2 Lord, hear my voice./
Let your ears be attentive/
to the voice of my supplications.
3 If you, LORD, should mark iniquities,/
O Lord, who shall stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with you/
so that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD. My soul waits,/
and I hope in his word.
6 My soul waits for the Lord/
more than those who watch for the morning,/
even more than those who watch for the morning.
7 Let Israel hope in the LORD,/
for with the LORD there is mercy/
and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel/
from all his iniquities.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 130[➚]
John Calvin's Chapter Summary:
Whether the Prophet in this Psalm prays in his own name in particular, or represents the whole Church, it is manifest, that finding himself overwhelmed with adversities, he supplicates deliverance with passionate ardor. And while acknowledging that he is justly chastised by the hand of God, he encourages himself and all genuine believers to cherish good hope, since God is the everlasting deliverer of his people, and has always in readiness the means of effecting their rescue from death.