Psalm 130 is one of the psalms of ascents and also one of the seven "penitential psalms" with Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, and 143. (Van Gemeren notes that Luther referred to these seven psalms as "Pauline psalms." ) The word for "forgiveness" in verse 4 appears elsewhere in the Tanakh only in Nehemiah 9:17 and Daniel 9:9, leading some to conclude that this psalm is post-exilic.
The psalmist approaches God "out of the depths," Here the midrash on Psalm 130 says that one should pray from a low place, a position of humility, rather than from a place of pride. (Humility is also evident in Psalm 131.) He may be in "the depths" because of guilt and suffering resulting from sin. His prayers are "pleas for mercy" (v 2), an indication that he is submitting to God and asking for his favor.
He acknowledges that if God continued to hold us accountable for all of our past sins, then none of us would be able to enjoy the benefits of God's presence (v 3). But God is forgiving, leading his followers to walk with appropriate fear of him.
Because of God's love and forgiveness, he waits in hope for "his word." This "word" may be an act of salvation in the sense of Psalm 107:20: "He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction."
The psalmist waits for God's help "more than watchmen for the morning"---i.e., in expectation of its arrival, and certain that it will arrive. He closes by urging the community to have hope in God as he does (vv 7-8).
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