1. The Sinning Psalmist’s Surety (vv.1-4)
2. The Psalmist’s Vigil (vv.5,6)
3. Encouragement from the One to the Many (vv.7,8)

Analysis: Title and Introduction

VERSE 1 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD ( ~yQim;[]M;mi [prep.w/n.m.p. ~yQim;[]m; ma-amaqqim, depths; 5X: Pss.69:3; 130:1; Isa.51:10; Ezek.27:34]) ^ytiar'q. [Qal.pf.1.c.s.w/2.m.s.sf., qara, call; "cried"]. `hw"hy> [pr.n.]).

VERSE 2 Lord, hear my voice ( yn"doa [pr.n.] h['m.vi] [Qal.imper., shama, hear] yliAqb. [prep.w/n.m.s.w/1.c.s.sf., qol, voice])!

Let Your ears be attentive ( ^yn<z>a' [n.f.dual.w/2.m.s.sf., ozen, ear] hn"yy<h.Ti [Qal.impf.3.f.p., hayah, be; "be attentive"]) tAbVuq; [adj.f.p., qashshubh, attentive])

To the voice of my supplications ( lAql. [prep.w/n.m.s., qol, voice] `yn"Wnx]T; [n.m.p.w/1.c.s.sf. ~ynIWnx]T tachanun, supplication]).

VERSE 3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities ( tAnwO[]-~ai [part. + n.m.p., awon, iniquity] Hy"-rm'v.Ti [Qal.impf.2.m.s., shamar, keep, observe; "mark", + pr.n., yah]),

O Lord, who could stand ( yn"doa] [pr.n.] ymi [interrog.pro.] `dmo[]y: [Qal.impf.3.m.s., amadh, stand])?

VERSE 4 But there is forgiveness with You ( ^M.[i-yKi [conj., for; "But there", + prep., "with"] hx'yliS.h; [def.art.w/n.f.s., selachah, forgiveness; 3X: Neh.9:17; Ps.130:4; Dan.9:9; noun is intensive, as in absolute forgiveness]),

That You may be feared ( ![;m;l. [conj., to the end that, with the result that] `areW"Ti [Niphil.impf.2.m.s., yare, fear]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 1-4

1. The song’s opening line reflects the psalmist’s low-point, as indicated by the word "depths".
2. For the modern reader, the word suggests despair.
3. In its Biblical setting, it evokes the sea of troubles in which the psalmist is engulfed (cf. Ps.69:1ff; 14ff).
4. This believer was engulfed in a deadly situation of separation from the living God.
5. The description of calamity is presented in general and brief terms.
6. The situation of this psalm is that of a believer in reversionism and under extreme divine discipline.
7. This situation is reflective of a high percentage of the psalms we have studied.
8. Some believers have to be "brought low" before they turn to God (cp. Ps.116:6).
9. Believers are capable of the same STA activities as unbelievers (cp. Eph.4:17ff).
10. Whatever his predicament, he was at rock-bottom when he "cried" to the Lord.
11. It is clear from what follows that his sufferings were deserved in nature (cf. vv.3,4).
12. His positive volition surfaced under conditions of terror and foundering.
13. From his miserable situation he confessed his sins (implied) and prayed with great intensity ("supplications") for God to deliver him from the SUD (implied; vv.1,2).
14. As noted above, there are quite a number of psalms which are reflective of this same situation.
15. There is hope for believers who abandon God and His +R (as detailed in Scripture).
16. No matter how awful the STA activity, there is forgiveness for all who turn to God in repentance.
17. The timing of the verbal tenses in verses 1 ("I have cried") and 5 ("I wait") suggest that he has been praying for relief and continues to wait upon the Lord to deliver him "out of the depths" (v.1).
18. The verbs should be interpreted as being past tense.
19. He has prayed in the past and continues to pray, according to verse 2.
20. It is important that when a believer is in such a crisis of faith that he/she keeps on praying for relief.
21. The psalmist continues to pray for a favorable hearing.
22. He is acutely conscious that he has no claim upon God based on his recent behavior.
23. This is in contrast to the believer who has been faithful to doctrine and who is in a crisis of undeserved suffering.
24. To date he has proved himself to be an unprofitable servant, and the onus of restoration to a state of acceptability lies with the Lord.
25. He draws out attention for the first time to the reason why he is in the predicament he is in.
26. His present suffering is due to his personal wrongdoing.
27. The rhetorical question of v.3 concerning his miserable state expects a "No" answer.
28. If God kept a strict tally of human sin and acted upon it in speedy punishment, none would survive very long upon this earth.
29. The verb "mark" is the common Hebrew word shamar, meaning "to keep/guard/retain (in memory)".
30. The point of the question is, if God kept in His memory or kept a tally with respect to human sinning, no one "could stand" before His anger.
31. If there were no other factors within the character and essence of God but +R, then no one "could stand" before the onslaught of His wrath.
32. Such is not the case, as God has found a way around condemning all who have broken His law (10 commandments).
33. God does not proceed according to the legal stringency of recompensive justice.
34. The psalmist, under the extreme mental pressure of his self-induced sufferings, provides the answer in v.4.
35. He boldly proceeds to remind God that "there is forgiveness with" Him (v.4a).
36. The conjunction "But" (Hebrew, ki) introduces the opposite viewpoint, as hypothesized in v.3.
37. With God is the willingness to forgive.
38. God’s primary wish is not to condemn, but to forgive (cp. Ezek.18:32; 33:11).
39. God’s greater glory is served when men repent and embrace God’s righteous demands.
40. Those who stubbornly refuse to make the adjustments face His lesser glory-His wrath.
41. Other verses clearly affirm this appeal to God’s essence: Neh.9:17; Dan.9:9; cp. Mt.26:28; Mk.1:4; Lk.1:77; 24:47).
42. Forgiveness of all pre-salvation sins takes place at the moment of faith in Christ (Acts.10:43; 26:18).
43. Since all believers sin (Eccl.7:20; 1Jn.1:8, 10), all stand in need of Ph2 forgiveness (1Jn.1:9; Mt.6:12).
44. Even the worst kinds of sins of believers can be forgiven where there is confession (Ps.32:1).
45. Believers under the SUD can be forgiven (Jam.5:15).
46. The OT and the NT know about unconditional forgiveness (Ps.32:1; Rom.4:7).
47. The psalmist understood this grace principle and appealed to it in his distress.
48. Deliverance from the jeopardy he was in was proof positive that God had forgiven him when he turned to God in reversionism.
49. The nature of his sufferings is not specified (sickness, prison, persecution, etc.).
50. Whenever a believer is so restored, his obligation to steer clear of his past activities is increased, according to v.4b.
51. Spiritual and physical deliverance should give the sinner (reversionist) occasion for sober thinking and behavior for the free grace given.
52. Those who are inclined to return to great transgression should give pause and reflect upon their testing of God’s patience.
53. He can and will put them in even greater depths.
54. The worst thing that can happen is to die under the SUD.
55. Again, the fallen believer obligation is increased, and greater obedience is enjoined (v.4:b).

VERSE 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait ( ytiyWIq [Piel.pf.1.c.s., qawah, wait, look for] hw"hy> [pr.n.] yvip.n: [n.f.s.w/1.c.s.sf., nephesh, soul] ht'W>qi [Piel.pf.3.f.s., qawah, wait]),

And in His word do I hope ( Arb'd>liw> [conj.w/prep.w/n.m.s.w/3.m.s.sf., dabhar, word] `yTil.x'Ah (Hiphil.ppf.w/1.c.s.sf., yachal, wait, hope for]).

VERSE 6 My soul waits for the Lord ( yvip.n: (n.f.s.w/1.c.s.sf.] yn"doal [prep.w/pr.n.])

More than the watchmen for the morning ( ~yrIm.Vomi; [prep., min, w/Qal.pt.m.p., shamar, guard, watch for; "watchmen"] rq,Bol; [prep.w/n.m.s., boqer, morning, break of day]);

Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning ( ~yrIm.vo [Qal.pt.m.p., shamar, watch for] `rq,Bol; [prep.w.n.m.s., boqer, morning]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 5,6

1. It is sometimes thought that the psalmist is waiting for forgiveness.
2. Forgiveness occurs the moment we rebound.
3. However, the effects of the DD may last for an unspecified period of time.
4. As we saw in the case of David, he was forgiven the moment he acknowledged his sins, but the crisis his sinning got him into was prolonged.
5. David’s intense life-threatening DD did not start the moment he sinned, but was dropped upon him later and continued for some months after his confession (cf. Pss.32:5,6; 38:18).
6. So his confession of trust in the Lord and His promises ("His word") is that God will deliver him from the crisis He was in.
7. At this point in the story, he was as forgiven as he would ever be.
8. He had to ride out the suffering in faith that God would hear his prayer for physical deliverance.
9. Verse 5a deals with Faith-Rest.
10. He recognizes that everything is in God’s hands and timing (v.5a).
11. He claims certain promises for the repentant suffering believer (v.5b).
12. His confidence is in the One whom He did not trust in when he went his own way.
13. In v.6 he mentions by simile how ardently he longs for relief.
14. He is like a night watchman who, in the darkness, waits for the morning light when he can relax and go home.
15. The night may seem endless, but it always gives way to the day.
16. Morning is certain and its time determined, so God will give relief to all who trust in Him.
17. Around him lurks the dark night of trouble, but the promise of deliverance steadies his soul.
18. His vigil transcends that of any watchman of the night.

VERSE 7 O Israel, hope in the LORD ( laer'f.Yi [pr.n.] lxey: [Piel.imper., yachal, wait] hw"hy>-la, [prep. + pr.n.]);

For with the LORD there is lovingkindness ( hw"hy>-~[i-yKi [conj. + prep. + pr.n.] ds,x,h;

[n.m.s., chesed, loyalty, devotion]),

And with Him is abundant redemption ( hBer>h;w> [conj.w/Hiphil.infin.abs., rabhah, be great; cause to be great; "abundant"] AM[I [prep.w/3.m.s.sf.; "with Him"] `tWdp. [n.f.s., pedhudh, ransom; "redemption"]).

VERSE 8 And He will redeem Israel ( aWhw [conj.w/pro.; "And He"] hD,p.yI [Qal.impf.3.m.s., padhah, redeem, ransom] laer'f.yI-ta, [dir.obj. + pr.n.])

From all his iniquities ( lKomi [prep.w/n.m.s., kal, all] `wyt'nOwO[] [n.f.p.w.3.m.s.sf., awon, iniquity]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 7,8

1. His wait for the Lord (vv.5,6) was not in vain.
2. As the morning dispels the blackness of night, so he survived to tell about it and to encourage his people who would find themselves in jeopardy due to their horrendous sins.
3. He is lead to call upon His people, present and future, to "hope/wait in the LORD" in all and every future crisis (v.7a).
4. But for relief to be there, the people must, like the psalmist, turn to God in accordance with His directive will (WOG).
5. Verse 7b,c is akin to v.4a.
6. "Loyal-love" is at the heat of the covenant with Israel and guarantees that God will always forgive those who call upon Him in truth.
7. Israel as a race has fallen into the "depths" of unbelief and apostasy.
8. Yet "with the LORD" is "loyal-love" and "abundant redemption".
9. Israel certainly illustrates the principal that "where sin abounds, grace does much more abound".
10. "Redemption" is employed here in a soteriological sense.
11. "Abundant redemption" is seen in the doctrine of unlimited atonement.
12. This doctrine affirms that Christ died for all men, even those who treated Him the worst and should have, of all people, known better!
13. The psalm ends with a dogmatic assertion that God "will redeem Israel from all his iniquities".
14. What was provided in grace in the past will be provided for Israel in the last days.
15. Said redemption is through the rejected Messiah (cf. Lk.1:66).
16. This anonymous psalmist’s experience as a restored reversionist is set forth as an example and encouragement to the chosen people in the last days.
17. Strictly speaking, the race deserves annihilation (v.3), but God’s capacity to forgive is greater than all our sins.
18. It is very important that we all remember this when it comes to our attitude towards others who have wronged us!