Songs from the Heart Day 36 Psalm 130

Read the Psalm

Psalm 130

A song of ascents.

1 Out of the depths I call to you, Lord!

2 Lord, listen to my voice;

let your ears be attentive

to my cry for help.

3 Lord, if you kept an account of iniquities,

Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness,

so that you may be revered.

5 I wait for the Lord; I wait

and put my hope in his word.

6 I wait for the Lord

more than watchmen for the morning—

more than watchmen for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord.

For there is faithful love with the Lord,

and with him is redemption in abundance.

8 And he will redeem Israel

from all its iniquities.

—Christian Standard Bible

Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, then read Psalm 130 in its entirety. Meditate on what you’ve read, using the journaling prompts as your guide. 

• What does this psalm teach you about God’s character? About the psalmist’s posture toward or relationship with God? 

• Reread verses 1-2. The psalmist described calling out to God from the depths of despair. Knowing the Israelites’ history, what are some instances when they had experienced despair? 

• Think about a time when you called out to God from the depths of despair. What did you learn about God through that experience? About yourself? 

• Read verses 3-4 aloud. The psalmist displayed a deep understanding of the reality of his sin—and knowledge of God’s unfathomable mercy and faithfulness to forgive. Could you say the same about yourself? Why or why not? 

• How has experiencing God’s forgiveness taught you to revere him more? Explain. 

• Why is it important that God forgives us completely and doesn’t keep a record of our sins? 

• Look again at verses 5-6. The psalmist described watchmen waiting for the dawn. What does that teach you about what it means to wait for the Lord? 

• Waiting on the Lord is counting on God to act, putting all your hope and trust in him instead of yourself or others. What situations in your life do you need to trust fully to God today? What steps will you take to place them in his hands? 

• Reread verses 7-8. List the facets of God’s character the psalmist extolled in these verses. Why do these characteristics make him worthy of our trust? 

• Meditate on verse 8. Journal your prayer of thankfulness to Christ for paying the costly price of redemption.