Psalms 130:1

PSALM CXXX

The prayer of a penitent to God, with confession of sin, 1-3.

Confidence in God's mercy, and waiting upon him, 4-6.

Israel is encouraged to hope in the Lord, because of his

willingness to save, 7, 8.

NOTES ON PSALM CXXX

This Psalm has no title nor author's name, either in the Hebrew, or in any of the Versions; though the Syriac says it was spoken of Nehemiah the priest. It was most probably composed during the captivity; and contains the complaint of the afflicted Jews, with their hopes of the remission of those sins which were the cause of their sufferings, and their restoration from captivity to their own land. This is one of those called penitential Psalms.

Verse Psalms 130:1. Out of the depths] The captives in Babylon represent their condition like those who are in a prison-an abyss or deep ditch, ready to be swallowed up.