Psalms
Chapter 130
This short psalm is a prayer from someone in deep trouble. The writer calls out to God, admits that no one could stand if God kept a record of every sin, and rests on the fact that God forgives. The last part turns from one person to the whole nation, telling Israel to wait and hope, because God will set them free from all their sins.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
1I am in deep trouble, LORD, and from down there I call out to you.
2Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
2Lord, hear my voice. Please listen closely as I beg you for help.
3If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
3LORD, if you kept a record of every wrong we did, no one could stand before you.
"Mark iniquities" means to write down sins and keep the list. "Who shall stand?" pictures standing in front of a judge without being found guilty.
4But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
4But you forgive. That is why people hold you in awe.
5I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
5I wait for the LORD. With my whole self I wait, and I put my hope in what he has said.
6My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
6I wait for the Lord more than guards on the night watch wait for morning. Yes, more than they do.
"They that watch for the morning" are night watchmen, guards who stayed awake all night and longed for sunrise.
7Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
7Israel, put your hope in the LORD. He loves faithfully, and he sets people free again and again.
"Plenteous redemption" means there is more than enough rescue. To redeem someone was to pay what it cost to buy them out of slavery or debt.
8And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
8He himself will set Israel free from every wrong thing they have done.
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