Seder 157: Psalm 130---Prayer in Humility and Confidence

 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).

Seder 124: Psalm 143---A Humble Prayer for Deliverance and Guidance

 Psalm 143 is one of a group of seven "penitential psalms" grouped together in Christian tradition---the others are 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130.  We see why it has been placed in this group in the first two verses, where the psalmist (traditionally David) appeals to God's mercy and faithfulness and then prays, "Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you."

Verse 2 expresses a truth affirmed throughout the Bible, the fact that no one is sinless.  When Paul asserts that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23), he joins a long line of biblical writers.  For example:  

Proverbs 20:9:  "Who can say, `I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin'?"

Ecclesiastes 7:20: "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins."

Psalm 130:3:  "If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?"

Mal 3:2:  "But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?"

1 Kings 8:46:  "If they sin against you---for there is no one who does not sin..."

The psalmist feels persecuted, discouraged, and alone.  He thinks about God's great works of redemption, and hopes for God's quck intervention in his own situation (vv 3-6).  

His prayer includes 

• request for deliverance and rescue.
• expression of confidence in God.
• a request for guidance.  He desires to do what is right.
• an appeal to God's faithfulness to his people, and for justice to be done with regard to his tormentors.

Overall he humbly submits to God, asking for both deliverance and guidance.