Chapter Summary

The Psalmist's desire toward God and his repentance before God.

Discussion Questions for Psalms, Chapter 130

1. Psalm 130:1, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!” (ESV) Why do you think we often see an imagery of the “depths” in the Psalms? What heart posture does this image paint for you?
2. Psalm 130:2, “O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!” (ESV) What can we learn from the Psalmist’s plea for God to be “attentive” to his voice? How can this verse influence your personal prayer life?
3. Can you feel the Psalmist’s urgency in his pleas to God? Has your heart ever experienced this sense of urgency? What was it like interceding with The Lord during that time?
4. Psalm 130:3, “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (ESV) What is the Psalmist recognising here? How does this shape his approach to God?
5. Based off of the Psalmists words, what allows his heart to draw near to God in the manner he is doing? What thing does he receive from The Lord that gives him the strength to make his pleas known? Why is this important?
6. Psalm 130:4, “But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” (ESV) Why does the Psalmist connect forgiveness to the fear of The Lord? How do the two parallel?
7. Psalm 130:5, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” (ESV) Is there anything you are waiting on The Lord for? How can God’s Word give hope to you in the waiting?
8. Psalm 130:6, “my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” (ESV) What was the job of a watchmen in that era? How does this shape our understanding of the passage?
9. Psalm 130:7, “O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” (ESV) What significance is there in having not just redemption, but plentiful redemption? Why does the Psalmist enhance the redemption found in God?
10. Is there anyone in your life that needs to be encouraged the way the Psalmist is encouraging Israel in verse seven? How can you support them this week and encourage them with God’s Word?

Key Words/Phrase

Supplication, v. 2.

Characters

God, Psalmist.

Strong Verse(s)

3, 5, 6.