"My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning." The unknown author of Psalm 130 waits eargerly, expectantly because he knows it will come as surely as the dawn. What will come? God's word of forgiveness for his sins. The writer is sure of three things about God: that God will hear him, God will keep no record of his sins, and God will forgive him.
As we saw in Psalm 23 yesterday, there are changes in the Psalm. The first four verses are directed to God; verses 5 and 6 are personal reflection; verse 7 is addressed to Israel; and verse 8 returns to reflection. So we see in the latter verses that the writer is sure of one more thing. If the people of Israel will repent and turn to the Lord, they too will be forgiven of their sins. "He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins."
I picture the Psalmist writing late at night, reviewing the events of the day, acknowledging his failings or soul-searching, as we say. He is telling God how terribly wrong things have gone - not the way he had planned or hoped. In the peace of the night, he is waiting on the Lord, waiting for the grace of forgiveness. When it comes, he looks to the morning with a clear conscience, and begins anew.
What the Psalmist knew, we can know too. God hears us; He keeps no record of our sins; and He forgives us when we repent. And, as the Psalmist said to his country, Israel, we can say to our country: Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
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In this short month of February, we are reading short Psalms. Feel free to comment on the Psalm I have chosen, or write something about a Psalm you have chosen.
As we saw in Psalm 23 yesterday, there are changes in the Psalm. The first four verses are directed to God; verses 5 and 6 are personal reflection; verse 7 is addressed to Israel; and verse 8 returns to reflection. So we see in the latter verses that the writer is sure of one more thing. If the people of Israel will repent and turn to the Lord, they too will be forgiven of their sins. "He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins."
I picture the Psalmist writing late at night, reviewing the events of the day, acknowledging his failings or soul-searching, as we say. He is telling God how terribly wrong things have gone - not the way he had planned or hoped. In the peace of the night, he is waiting on the Lord, waiting for the grace of forgiveness. When it comes, he looks to the morning with a clear conscience, and begins anew.
What the Psalmist knew, we can know too. God hears us; He keeps no record of our sins; and He forgives us when we repent. And, as the Psalmist said to his country, Israel, we can say to our country: Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
***
In this short month of February, we are reading short Psalms. Feel free to comment on the Psalm I have chosen, or write something about a Psalm you have chosen.
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