Psalm 130:1-4 "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. (2) Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. (3) If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? (4) But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared."
Psalm 130:7 "Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD
there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption."
"Who shall stand?" Isn't it a wonderful time when a toddler first
stands to his feet? Even though he is wobbly and the stand may only last for a
few seconds; yet, there is great joy and celebration when it happens. That
degree of growth is incredible. The question asked in verse 3 is not concerning
the first time we physically stand; rather, this is a spiritual question that
is given to the child of God concerning our position before the Lord. The
answer to the Psalmist's question is, "no one". If God should mark,
or regard, our iniquities, no one would be able to stand before Him. For we all
have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We may try to compare, or
contrast, our sins against someone else, but we all, in and of ourselves, are
guilty before God. That isn't very good news, is it?
Verse 4 begins with one of my favorite words in the Bible... "But..."
This one word shows great contrast between our ability and the mercy and
grace of God. Because of our iniquities, no one shall stand before the
Lord, BUT there is forgiveness with God. Praise His Holy Name! There is
forgiveness through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot, nor
will we ever, be able to stand before God and boast of anything we have done.
But when we stand before Him, we can only plead the blood of Jesus. We were
dead in trespasses and sins, BUT God who is rich in mercy has raised us up to
give us eternal life. I said the word, but, is one of my favorites, but it is
my absolute favorite when you see these two words: "But God....."
With the understanding of verses 3 and 4, we can cry out even more boldly as is
written in verse 1. I have no hope based upon myself, but "... with
the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption." I praise
His Holy Name!
1 My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.