Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

Psalm 130. This is an individual lament, expressing penitence and trust in God's mercy. (Other psalms with prominent penitential themes are Psalms 6; 25; 32; 38; 51; 143.) The penitential element is geared toward helping worshipers to see themselves as forgiven people, whose only right to enter God's presence lies in his mercy.

130:1-2 O Lord, Hear My Cry for Mercy! The psalm climbs from out of the depths of misery over sin, to confession of it (vv. 3-4), to hope (vv. 5-6) and assurance (vv. 7-8). The tone is urgent, and the topic is my pleas for mercy.