Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord (Psalm 130)

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Psalm 130 is a profound expression of repentance and hope. It captures the cry of an individual deeply aware of their sinfulness, yet hopeful in the mercy of God. This psalm is notable for its intense emotional depth and theological richness, emphasizing themes of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption.

The theological message of Psalm 130 revolves around human frailty, divine mercy, and hope in God’s steadfast love. The psalmist’s journey from despair to hope is a powerful model for penitence and faith.

The psalmist begins with a "cry" ("cry unto you" קְרָאתִיךָ [k'ratika]) from the "depths" (מִמַּעֲמַקִּים [mi-ma'amaqqim]). This term signifies a place of extreme distress or despair, associated with the depths of the sea, symbolizing overwhelming troubles and the feeling of being far from God. The deep distress and sinfulness illustrate the importance of recognizing one's shortcomings and turning to God for mercy.

The assurance of God's forgiveness is a central theme (v. 2-4). The psalmist’s confidence in God’s willingness to forgive encourages believers to seek God’s mercy without fear. The psalmist's cry for mercy ("my entreaties" תַּחֲנוּנָי [tachanunai]) reflects a deep awareness of his need for God’s grace. The term "attentive" (קַשֻּׁב [kashuv]) highlights the psalmist's desire for God to not only hear but to focus intently on his plea. It conveys a sense of urgency and the need for divine compassion and intervention. Interestingly, verse 4 emphasizes the link between God's forgiveness ("pardon" סְלִיחָה [s'lichah]) and the proper human response of reverence ("you cause fear" תִּוָּרֵא [tivare]).

The last part (v. 5-7), focusing on patience characterized by the term "wait" (קָוַה [kavah]), highlights the psalmist's deep trust in God and the confident expectation of his intervention.

Vocabulary

Word Meaning
שִׁיר Lied
הַ bestimmter Artikel
מַעֲלָה Aufstieg, Stufe, Treppe
מִן aus, von
מַעֲמַקִּים Tiefen
קרא anrufen; treffen
אַתָּה du (m.)
יְהוָה Herr
אֲדֹנָי Herr
שׁמע hören, zuhören

Biblical text

130:1שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֑וֹת מִמַּעֲמַקִּ֖ים קְרָאתִ֣יךָ יְהוָֽה׃2אֲדֹנָי֮ שִׁמְעָ֪ה בְק֫וֹלִ֥י תִּהְיֶ֣ינָה אָ֭זְנֶיךָ קַשֻּׁב֑וֹת לְ֝ק֗וֹל תַּחֲנוּנָֽי׃3אִם־עֲוֺנ֥וֹת תִּשְׁמָר־יָ֑הּ אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י מִ֣י יַעֲמֹֽד׃4כִּֽי־עִמְּךָ֥ הַסְּלִיחָ֑ה לְ֝מַ֗עַן תִּוָּרֵֽא׃5קִוִּ֣יתִי יְ֭הוָה קִוְּתָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֑י וְֽלִדְבָר֥וֹ הוֹחָֽלְתִּי׃6נַפְשִׁ֥י לַֽאדֹנָ֑י מִשֹּׁמְרִ֥ים לַ֝בֹּ֗קֶר שֹׁמְרִ֥ים לַבֹּֽקֶר׃7יַחֵ֥ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֶל־יְה֫וָה כִּֽי־עִם־יְהוָ֥ה הַחֶ֑סֶד וְהַרְבֵּ֖ה עִמּ֣וֹ פְדֽוּת׃8וְ֭הוּא יִפְדֶּ֣ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מִ֝כֹּ֗ל עֲוֺנֹתָֽיו׃