Psalm 130 - New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Psalm 130[a]

Prayer for Pardon and Mercy

1 A song of ascents.

I

Out of the depths[b] I call to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my cry!
May your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.(A)
3 If you, Lord, keep account of sins,
Lord, who can stand?(B)
4 But with you is forgiveness
and so you are revered.[c]

II

5 I wait for the Lord,
my soul waits
and I hope for his word.(C)
6 My soul looks for the Lord
more than sentinels for daybreak.(D)
More than sentinels for daybreak,
7 let Israel hope in the Lord,
For with the Lord is mercy,
with him is plenteous redemption,(E)
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all its sins.(F)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 130 This lament, a Penitential Psalm, is the De profundis used in liturgical prayers for the faithful departed. In deep sorrow the psalmist cries to God (Ps 130:1–2), asking for mercy (Ps 130:3–4). The psalmist’s trust (Ps 130:5–6) becomes a model for the people (Ps 130:7–8).
  2. 130:1 The depths: Sheol here is a metaphor of total misery. Deep anguish makes the psalmist feel “like those descending to the pit” (Ps 143:7).
  3. 130:4 And so you are revered: the experience of God’s mercy leads one to a greater sense of God.

Cross references

  1. 130:2 : Ps 5:2–3; 55:2–3; 86:6; Lam 3:55–56; Jon 2:3.
  2. 130:3 : Na 1:6.
  3. 130:5 : Ps 119:81.
  4. 130:6 : Is 21:11; 26:9.
  5. 130:7 : Ps 86:15; 100:5; 103:8.
  6. 130:8 : Ps 25:22; Mt 1:21.