let Israel hope in the LORD, For with the LORD is mercy, with him is plenteous redemption, Psalms 130:7 NABRE
This psalm is one of the fifteen Psalms of Ascent. The Psalms of Ascent are rich with defined purpose, many scholars understanding the purpose in many ways. But one way to think of them is to think of the Hebrew people rising in fortune, particularly the wise. When the Children of Israel are worthy to ascend, they do not climb one step at a time; rather they mount many rungs at once (see Deuteronomy 28:13). Conversely, if they fail the Children of Israel will descend many levels at once (see Deuteronomy 28:43). This psalm is designed to raise people’s spirits. It is a message of hope which is needed as the people are in degrading despair of exile and the bitter knowledge that these misfortunes are the results of their own sins. Yet, even when the gentiles ridicule and harm the Hebrew people they rise from sorrow on the wings of a song and prayer. This psalm asks God for forgiveness, declaring God is so good, full of steadfast love and forgiveness. The psalmists calls on God to listen and tells Him why He should do so – because He is a God who forgives, and a God who is trustworthy. The psalm ends by exhorting the people to hope in the Lord.
The call of the people to hope in the Lord, as we read in the quoted verse, is in line with earlier verses that give reasons for hope, (God’s love and redemption) expressed in personal terms are the Divine attributes expressed in the Covenant (see Deuteronomy 7:8). Because God’s nature is forgiveness and love He will pardon all His people’s sins. This is a psalm prayed today to express trust in Christ the Redeemer, pointing to Christ’s atonement with thanksgiving.
Do you seek forgiveness and pardon? Do you trust God to always be merciful?
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