Psalms 130

A penitential psalm crying from the depths for mercy.

Psalms 130 - Out of the Depths I Cried

Psalm 130 begins with one of the Psalter's most quoted lines, "out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD," as the writer asks who could stand if God marked every iniquity. Its urgent tone contrasts with the harsher plea against enemies in Psalms 129.


A gradual canticle of David. Lord, my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty. Neither have I walked in great matters, nor in wonderful things above me.

If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is towards his mother, so reward in my soul.

Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.

The psalmist's patient hope, waiting "more than they that watch for the morning," closely parallels the confident trust of <a href="/bible/drc/psalms/chapter-33/20">Psalms 33:20</a>. Read more songs of ascent on the <a href="/bible/drc/psalms">Psalms overview</a>, or move ahead to the quiet humility of <a href="/bible/drc/psalms/chapter-131">Psalms 131</a>.