Psalm 130 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 130 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Verse 2Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
Verse 3If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
Verse 4But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
Verse 5I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
Verse 6my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.
Verse 7O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.
Verse 8It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Devotion
Recently, a friend announced that he’d had enough of life. The final straw had fallen on the camel’s back. Nothing he’d tried over the years—counseling, medications, reconstructing a family life—seemed to work. So, he cried out in a despair that emerged from his deepest depths. “Lord, save me from the hopelessness of my reality.”
Our psalmist believes climbing out of the depths is possible when God is with us. The law convicts and no one can stand blameless before God. Separation from God ought to be our end. But grace abounds! With God, not even our sin will be used against us. “There is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered,” the psalmist declares.
Recovery from deep depths is often not immediate. Steadfast, enduring, and forgiving love is needed, a love that is patient and kind, allowing those coming from the depths to find new life with God, and with God’s good creation.
Oh yes, my friend’s cry was heard. Pray for him and for others like him.
Prayer
O Lord, your grace is wonderful. There is no valley too low, or mountain too high that can keep us apart. Enable us to share this good news with those who need to hear. Grant us the empathy, patience, and kindness to minister to them. Amen.