Psalm 130 Bible Commentary

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(Read all of Psalm 130)

Verse 3

[3] If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Mark — Observe them accurately and punish them as they deserve.

Stand — At thy tribunal.

Verse 4

[4] But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

Forgiveness — Thou art able and ready to forgive repenting sinners.

Feared — Not with a slavish, but with a childlike fear. This mercy of thine is the foundation of all religion, without which men would desperately proceed in their impious courses.

Verse 5

[5] I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

I wait — That he would pardon my sins.

Verse 6

[6] My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

They — Whether soldiers that keep the night-watches in an army, or the priests or Levites who did so in the temple.

Verse 7

[7] Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

Israel — Every true Israelite.

Plenteous — Abundantly sufficient for all persons who accept it upon God's terms.