Who among us has not felt the depths of sorrow reflected in the desperate plea, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.” Each of us has cried out “Dear God where are you?” But, like the psalmist, these are not cries of despair. We are seeking to find God because we know that he is there in times of great crisis.
This is reflected in the final verse “I trust in the Lord, my soul trusts in His Word.”
While it begins with the psalmist’s deep lament, it nevertheless soon changes into hope and trust in God’s mercy and forgiveness not only for the psalmist but for redemption for Israel.
Psalm 130 is a penitential psalm, one of seven psalms used during Lent to express repentance. Several famous authors have chosen the Latin first line, De profundis [Out of the depths] as the title of one of their works. It is also used in liturgical prayers for the departed. Click here for more on the penitential psalms.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
℟. (7) With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication.
℟. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
LORD, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered.
℟. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
More than sentinels wait for the dawn,
let Israel wait for the LORD.
℟. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.
℟. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
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