Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 130

Out of the depths. Latin, de profundis; hence the psalm has been named the De profundis Psalm. The psalmist was in deep distress, but he recognized that the Lord delights to answer prayer under such circumstances.

Shouldest mark. Literally, “shouldest observe,” “shouldest watch.” In order to stand in the great day of scrutiny, we must rely wholly upon God’s pardoning mercy and forgiving love and plead the righteousness of Christ.

Forgiveness. God delights in forgiving the penitent sinner. His nature is merciful and forgiving. But there are prerequisites to forgiveness (see on Ps. 32:1).

I wait. The answer may not come as quickly as the psalmist would like, but because of his confidence in that word he waits patiently in hope. Even though the night of sorrow may seem long, he knows that the morning will soon break. When the dark, black clouds of night roll away, the bright beams of “the Sun of righteousness” will be seen (see Mal. 4:2).

Let Israel hope. The psalmist asked his people to join with him in this blessed hope. Mercy. Heb. chesed, “divine love” (see Additional Note on Ps. 36). Plenteous redemption. There is unlimited power with God, and He is able and willing, yes, He delights in doing for us “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20).

He. Emphatic in the Hebrew. There is salvation in no other (Matt. 1:21; Acts 4:12). The psalmist has come out of the depths of a crushing sense of sin and is now standing upon the mountaintop of redemption and forgiveness.