Psalm 130
From the depths of despair, O LORD, 
I call for your help. 
Hear my cry, O Lord. 
Pay attention to my prayer. 

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. 

I am counting on the LORD; 
yes, I am counting on him. 
I have put my hope in his word. 
I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, 
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn. 

O Israel, hope in the LORD; 
for with the LORD there is unfailing love. 
His redemption overflows. 
He himself will redeem Israel 
from every kind of sin. (NLT)

—

There is certain help for despairing hearts turned toward God. Two powerful truths inhabit this song for pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for one of the annual festivals. Here is help and hope for us wherever we are bound today.

First, we find in verses three and four God’s offer of forgiveness. The author begins with a rhetorical question:

“Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, 
who, O Lord, could ever survive?”

The implied, and accurate, answer is Nobody. 

This is followed by an affirmation of grace and mercy:

“But you offer forgiveness, 
that we might learn to fear you.”

God offers his gift of forgiveness to all who will receive it. We learn reverent living from this gracious truth. 

Second, God’s unfailing love works for our redemption from all that enslaves us. The writer urges us to place our hope in God whose redemption is more abundant than our overabundant sins. He says it this way: 

“His redemption overflows.”

God’s cup of grace and his pitcher of mercy never run dry.

He will redeem us from whatever we have sold our lives to gain. 

“He himself will redeem Israel 
from every kind of sin.”

What’s your addictive sin? Your unholy drive and desire? God can free you from that and place you within his safe space. 

Forgiveness and redemption are his intentional work in each of our lives. None of us is beyond his rescue and restoration. 

You may feel like verse 1 is telling your life story. “Hi, I’m Dave, and I am in despair. If God doesn’t help me, I’ll never make it.”

If this is you, you can also experience God’s grace that is greater than all your sin. He will hear and answer your prayers for help. He will do more than you hope with plenty of mercy to spare. 

Feel free to apply for his gifts with your honest prayers. Trust him to do what he says. Learn to live in the light of his forgiveness and redemption.

—

I will go to God with all my sins and seek his forgiveness and redemption.

—

Our Father, your forgiveness and redemption are what we need, and what you long to provide. Your unfailing love applies your mercy in abundance. You completely renew us. You empower us to begin again from a place of grace. Thank you for your kindness. Amen.