Psalm 130

Psalm 130

Redeemed!

I. No matter the depth of our sin, God’s redemption is abundant; so we must be moved to cry out to Him (Vv. 1-2)

a. In order to describe the fallen human condition, the psalmist pictures the power of the sea and its waves which sweep him off his feet and tow him out to the depths, where he’s helpless to contend with the ferocity and crushing pressure of the deep dark sea. From the hopeless and crushing abyss, the psalmist cries out continually in despair. Sin is absolutely relentless, just like the unassailable power of the sea, yet many never ascend past the depths of their sin because they resign to its crushing weight and never cry out to God. The psalmist knew that God can see and hear all, so he cried out to Him in earnest humility from the depths of his helpless depravity. There is no depth of sin, disappointment, fear, perplexity, sorrow, or grief that is too deep for us to be heard by God, but we must acknowledge the depths of our condition and be moved to cry out to Him in His lofty heights. Looking to the world or ourselves will only sink us deeper and deeper into the unbearable pressure of the abyss. (Vv. 1-2; Ps. 14:1-3; 53:1-3; 69:1-2, 13-15; Isa. 6:1-5; Jonah 2:1-9; Rom. 3:10-12, 23; Col. 3:1-3)

II. No matter the depth of our sin, God’s redemption is abundant; so we must be moved to fear Him (Vv. 3-4)

a. God knows all our thoughts and actions; and he’s just to rightly hold all accountable for what we’ve done and haven’t done, that’s contrary to His perfect nature and character. Without His grace, mercy, and forgiveness, we don’t have a chance; none can stand before His holy and righteous perfection. But He’s a God of forgiveness. God’s grace frees us from sin’s weight and power through Christ, and frees us to love, serve, and glorify Him. If we truly understand that magnitude of our sin, we’ll be moved to awe and reverence of God’s amazing mercy, grace, and love. We’ll be moved to revere Him, not to sin against Him, to humble obedience to Him, and to forgive as we’ve been forgiven. By resisting God and not fearing Him, we continue to needlessly attempt to bear the unbearable weight of our sins. (Vv. 3-4; Exod. 34:6-7; Ezra 9:15; Ps. 1:5-6; 34:18; 40:1-4; 86:5; 90:8; 103:11-12; 139:23-24; 143:2; Isa. 38:17; 43:25; 44:22; 51:10-13; Jer. 2:22; 16:17; 31:34; Ezek. 11:5; Hos. 7:2; Micah 7:19; Mal. 3:2; Matt. 7:14-15; 10:28; 12:36-37; 18:21-35; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:1-9; Heb. 10:17)

III. No matter the depth of our sin, God’s redemption is abundant; so we must be moved to wait on Him (Vv. 5-6)

a. Just as the watchmen stood on the wall of the city and strained their eyes waiting on the breaking light of dawn, which was certain to come and illuminate to the city, proclaiming God’s love, mercy, and grace which has kept the people safe through another long and dark night, so the psalmist strains even more hopefully and expectantly waiting on the certain coming of the light of God into his life! We must remember the joy of fellowship we felt as we first gave our hearts to Christ and trusted in Him for forgiveness and restoration. We must also remember those times, even when we belonged to Him, that our unrepentant sin drove a wedge between us and the Lord, and we sensed that His presence was no longer with us. Nothing can replace the presence of God in our lives, and once we’ve truly enjoyed Him, we rush to restore it in His absence, and are continually compelled to wait on Him for guidance, direction, and peace in all things, knowing for certain that He will provide for us, just as the sun always breaks through even the darkest and coldest night, bringing light and warmth. (Vv. 5-6; Ps. 46:10-11; 119:74, 81-82; Isa. 40:31; Lam. 3:22-26; Mal. 4:2; Matt. 11:28-30; Luke 1:76-79; John 8:12; Col. 1:11-14; Jas. 1:17;1 Pet. 2:9-10)

IV. No matter the depth of our sin, God’s redemption is abundant; so we must be moved to proclaim the hope that is only in Him (Vv. 7-8)

a. The psalmist now looks with great anticipatory hope for God’s light in his life. God is not only the source of sufficient redemption, but “abundant redemption”. Seeing the amazing love of God at work in his life has compelled the psalmist to share the hope of God with others around him, because God’s grace is simply too great to be contained to one person! As we begin to experience and understand the magnitude of God’s love, mercy, and grace, which satisfied His own holy, just, and righteousness nature through the perfect sacrifice of His Son, we’ll become increasingly more aware of the incalculable magnitude of His redemptive work. Jesus is the only hope for humanity. If we’ve experienced His amazing love, forgiveness, peace, joy, and hope, we’ll be compelled to glorify Him by sharing it increasingly more with the world around us. (Vv. 7-8; Exod. 34:6-7; Ps. 103:8-10, 13-19; Matt. 18:18-20; Luke 1:68; John 3:16; Acts 1:8; Rom. 3:16; 5:1-5; 8:18-39; 2 Cor. 5:14-21; Gal. 2:20)