Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
Read it in contextPsalm 130 (A Song of Ascents)
Start reading at Psalms 130:1 (Psalms 130:1 to Psalms 130:8).
The verse belongs to the entire Psalm 130, which is a complete literary unit and a Song of Ascents.
130:1Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
130:2Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
130:3If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
130:4But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
130:5I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
130:6My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
130:7Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
130:8And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 130:1–130:8): The worshipper cries to the LORD and urges Israel to hope in His mercy. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is hope in the LORD's abundant mercy and plenteous redemption, even when crying out from deep distress and acknowledging sin. The psalmist moves from a personal plea for forgiveness to an encouragement for all Israel to trust in God's redemptive power.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His character as merciful, forgiving, and capable of providing abundant redemption. He is shown as a God who does not 'mark iniquities' but offers forgiveness so that He may be feared and hoped in.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, specifically a psalm of lament that transitions into a declaration of hope and trust. It is a form of worship literature.
When
When was it written? The book of Psalms was collected over a period from approximately 1400 to 450 B.C. The specific date for Psalm 130 is not known.
When does the event take place? The 'event' described is the psalmist's personal experience of crying out to God, waiting for Him, and declaring hope, which takes place in the present time of the psalmist's life.
Where
Where did it happen? The passage describes an internal spiritual experience of crying out 'out of the depths' and waiting for the LORD, rather than a specific external event with a physical location.
Where was the author located? The specific location of the author for Psalm 130 is not stated in the text. However, the book of Psalms was written in Israel.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Psalm 130 (A Song of Ascents) (Psalms 130:1 to Psalms 130:8).
Start reading at Psalms 130:1. The verse belongs to the entire Psalm 130, which is a complete literary unit and a Song of Ascents.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalm 130 is one of the 'Songs of Degrees' or 'Songs of Ascents' (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. It fits the broader context of a spiritual journey, moving from a deep personal cry of distress to a communal declaration of confident hope in God's forgiveness and redemption for Israel. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? The 'plenteous redemption' and 'forgiveness' promised by the LORD in this psalm find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Through His atoning sacrifice, God provides abundant mercy and redeems His people from all their iniquities, making forgiveness fully available. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Today, believers can apply this passage by remembering that even when feeling 'out of the depths' due to sin or life's struggles, God offers abundant mercy and complete redemption. We are encouraged to wait patiently for the Lord, trust in His word, and place our hope in His unfailing forgiveness found in Christ. interpretation
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 130
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
“If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who…”
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.