June 16, 2018 Saturday

“1 ¶  « A Song of Ascents. » 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 could stand? 4  But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. 5 ¶  I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. 6  My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning — Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. 7  O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption. 8  And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities.” (Psalm 130:1-8 NKJV)

            This Psalm is called a Psalm of assent which was sung as the people ascended to worship at the Temple. The priests would lead and the Levites would provide music so the people would come together and follow the ascension to the Temple.

            This being a Psalm of ascension tells us this probably is a Psalm of praise and worship. The Psalms were meant to be sung just as we today have hymns in our worship services.  This Psalm is definitely finding a way to worship God and to remember His faithfulness and love.

            The psalmist cries out to God at first hoping God will hear an answer his prayers. Then the psalmist remembers what God has done for His people and God’s mercy and redemption. Listen to the words the psalmist uses to describe God’s holiness that sees our sin yet offers redemption so we may once again come under God’s mercy and love.

            Verse eight tells us that God shall redeem us from our iniquities. Iniquity is not just another word for sin but it is a word that describes sin that is taught within a community and considered right by that community.

            Verse four may seem strange to us as a people who major in God’s love rather than God’s holiness. Forgive is “with” God not just from God. Forgiveness does not just blot our sin, but allows us to return into God’s presence and to be with God.

            Perhaps the most unusual part of verse four is that through God’s forgiveness we learn to “fear” God! While we are often used to seeing God as a friend, we must also remember the power, glory and might of God!

            The psalmist remembers that if we call upon God for forgiveness we will be forgiven but if not we will not be able to stand before God in his righteous judgment! God has the right to offer life and if we do not accept then we will receive the death we have earned!

            Have you sought God’s forgiveness and ascended to worship and love the God who has saved you? Do you cry out to God for forgiveness so you might receive God’s forgiveness and you may be “with” God? Do you understand that this God who loves you will also judge you if you do not seek God’s forgiveness?