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Psalm 130[a]

Prayer for Pardon and Mercy

A song of ascents.

I

Out of the depths[b] I call to you, Lord;
    Lord, hear my cry!
May your ears be attentive
    to my cry for mercy.(A)
If you, Lord, keep account of sins,
    Lord, who can stand?(B)
But with you is forgiveness
    and so you are revered.[c]

II

I wait for the Lord,
    my soul waits
    and I hope for his word.(C)
My soul looks for the Lord
    more than sentinels for daybreak.(D)
More than sentinels for daybreak,
    let Israel hope in the Lord,
For with the Lord is mercy,
    with him is plenteous redemption,(E)
And he will redeem Israel
    from all its sins.(F)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 130 This lament, a Penitential Psalm, is the De profundis used in liturgical prayers for the faithful departed. In deep sorrow the psalmist cries to God (Ps 130:1–2), asking for mercy (Ps 130:3–4). The psalmist’s trust (Ps 130:5–6) becomes a model for the people (Ps 130:7–8).
  2. 130:1 The depths: Sheol here is a metaphor of total misery. Deep anguish makes the psalmist feel “like those descending to the pit” (Ps 143:7).
  3. 130:4 And so you are revered: the experience of God’s mercy leads one to a greater sense of God.