Bible Society of South Africa
Ds Hein Barnard

Forgiveness – Day 10

This Psalm is part of the group of Psalms sung by the pilgrims on their way to and from the temple in Jerusalem. This is an individual lament in which the Psalmist expressed repentance and trust in God’s mercy.

Bible text(s)

Psalms 130

A Prayer for Help

1From the depths of my despair I call to you, LORD.

2Hear my cry, O Lord;

listen to my call for help!

3If you kept a record of our sins,

who could escape being condemned?

4But you forgive us,

so that we should stand in awe of you.

5I wait eagerly for the LORD's help,

and in his word I trust.

6I wait for the Lord

more eagerly than watchmen wait for the dawn —

than watchmen wait for the dawn.

7Israel, trust in the LORD,

because his love is constant

and he is always willing to save.

8He will save his people Israel

from all their sins.

Psalms 130GNBOpen in Bible reader

Forgiveness in the Psalms – 3

The impact of sin is that it estranges the believer from God.  When this happens, the believer has an intense desire to restore this broken relationship with God.  Before the Israelite could bring his offering to the Lord in the temple, he needed to confess the sins of his mind, mouth and hands.  Some people linked this Psalm to the great Atonement Day in Leviticus 16.

The pilgrim calls for help in the first two verses, followed by the acknowledgement and assurance in verses 3 onward that it is only God who can forgive and set the believer free.

This Psalm refers to individual and national forgiveness.

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