Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

the harvest: “My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow…The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose.” (1 Cor. 3:6, 8) Those who love Zion, the church and the presence of God will bless all who are experi- encing the wonderful harvest God has promised to his people.

1 Kraus 2 Kraus 3 Keil & Delitzsch 4 Kraus

PSALM 130: ‘FROM THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR’ The Power of God’s Forgiveness

Although he is not the author, this is known as one of the ‘Psalms of Paul’ (Psalmi Paulini) *** be- cause of its New Testament character of offering complete forgiveness to the person who hopes in the unfailing love of God. It is one of the famous seven ‘Penitential Psalms’ (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) where the singer asks for forgiveness for their sins and receives the merciful pardon of God. It introduces a different emphasis on the name of God as ‘Adonai’, (Sovereign Lord, Master) is used three times in- stead of the more familiar Yahweh and Elohim. Perhaps this name represents the work of the Holy Spirit, the Lord, who convicts us of sin and leads us to repentance. The deep abyss of despair has ‘not sepa- rated Israel from God, but have rather brought him to God.’ 1 The beauty of the psalm is its ability to lift the human spirit from the most profound depths of depression to a confident hope in the mercy of God. It is outlined in four brief sections:

I I CALL FOR YOUR HELP - 1, 2- Prayer from the Heart II IF YOU KEPT A RECORD - 3, 4- Pardon Received III I AM COUNTING ON THE LORD - 5, 6- Persisting in Hope IV ISRAEL, HOPE IN THE LORD - 7, 8- Proclaiming His Word

INTRODUCTION:

“A song for the ascent to Jerusalem.”

( See Introduction to the Songs of Ascent)

I

I CALL FOR YOUR HELP - 1, 2- Prayer from the Heart

“From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.” (1, 2)

Despair arises from a conscious guilt of sin that resides in the individual singer. It is as if the person has sunk in very deep waters; ‘the kingdom of death, the place of separation from God and Godfor- sakeness.’ 2 This is an emotional and spiritual abyss from which it is difficult for humans to return. The call for help comes from the most profound depths of the soul and engenders a response from God; “For ‘Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Rom. 10:13) This is the most merciful of mo- ments; ‘a human voice, and a Divine Ear’ 3 join together resulting in forgiveness and hope in the believer. This is ‘supplicating’ prayer, a long continuous cry that persists until the person has secured God’s an- swer.

II

IF YOU KEPT A RECORD - 3, 4- Pardon Received

“Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.” (3, 4)

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