Saturday, July 17, 2010
Psalm 130:1-3 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
WITH THE LORD THERE IS MERCY
This is often called a penitential psalm. The psalmist lays bare his soul, imploring the Lord to hear his prayer for mercy. He knows that if the Lord would keep a tally of his sins, his situation would be hopeless. He would be cut off from God's presence now and in the life to come. However, the psalmist has learned the good news that the Lord of holiness forgives sin freely for the sake of His abundant mercy.
Why was this psalm included in the Songs of Ascents collection? What more appropriate way could the Jewish pilgrims have chosen to ready themselves for worshiping their Lord at the temple than by looking to Him for grace? They knew that in this way only would their worship be acceptable. As it says in another place: "Who may stand in His holy place? Only those who have clean hands and a pure heart" (Psalm 24:2-3).
In our church services we prepare our hearts for worshiping the Lord in the same way. At the start of the service we come with repentant hearts, confessing our sins, and imploring God's mercy for Jesus' sake. Whereupon we hear the Pastor announce the words of absolution in the Savior's name. And this is our joy: With the Lord there is forgiveness. He has removed our transgressions from us as far as east is from west. Finally, when our days of pilgrimage end, we'll find the gates of the New Jerusalem flung open and experience the greater delight of seeing the Lord and worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness forever. All praise to Him for His love!
O sweet and blessed country, The home of God's elect!
O sweet and blessed country That eager hearts expect!
Jesus, in mercy bring us To that dear land of rest,
Who art, with God the Father And Spirit, ever blest.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 613:4)
