Psalms 130:1

KJV

¶ A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

A Song {H7892} of degrees {H4609}. Out of the depths {H4615} have I cried {H7121} unto thee, O LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A song of ascents. By David: ADONAI, I call to you from the depths;

Berean Standard Bible

Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!

American Standard Version

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 130:1, the opening verse of one of the most poignant "Songs of Ascents" and a "Penitential Psalm," immediately plunges the reader into a scene of profound spiritual and emotional distress. The psalmist's raw, desperate cry "Out of the depths" articulates a universal human experience of being overwhelmed by circumstances or sin, yet it is instantly met with a direct, earnest appeal to the covenant-keeping God, the LORD, signifying an underlying hope in divine accessibility and mercy even in the direst of circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 130 is part of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), a collection traditionally associated with pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for annual festivals or Levites ascending the Temple steps. This specific psalm, often known by its Latin title *De Profundis* ("Out of the Depths"), is also one of the seven "Penitential Psalms" (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143), which focus on confession, repentance, and the fervent longing for God's mercy and forgiveness. The opening verse sets a tone of profound distress and urgent prayer, immediately establishing the psalm's central theme of seeking divine intervention from a state of deep spiritual or emotional burden, which then transitions into a profound meditation on God's steadfast love and forgiveness in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The designation "A Song of degrees" (KJV) or "A Song of Ascents" (ESV, NIV) points to its use in the context of ancient Israelite pilgrimage. As worshippers ascended physically towards Jerusalem and its Temple, these psalms would have accompanied their spiritual ascent, reflecting on their journey, their struggles, and their hope in God. The "depths" could metaphorically represent various forms of distress common in an ancient agricultural society, such as famine, plague, oppression, or personal sin. The act of crying out to "the LORD" (Yahweh) underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God was known as the faithful, personal deliverer who heard the cries of His people, a concept deeply embedded in Israel's history from the Exodus onwards.
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse introduces several profound themes central to the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **universality of human suffering and despair**, portraying a soul overwhelmed by circumstances or the burden of sin, a feeling relatable across all generations. Secondly, it emphasizes the **necessity and efficacy of direct, earnest prayer** to God in times of crisis, underscoring that even from the most profound "depths," God is accessible and attentive. This theme is echoed throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - Calling on the LORD in Distress") where the psalmist declares, "In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple." Finally, the very act of crying out implies an underlying **hope in God's mercy and forgiveness**, anticipating the psalmist's profound trust in God's redemptive character, a hope that finds its ultimate expression in verses like [Psalm 130:4](/psalms/130-4 "Psalm 130:4 - With God is Forgiveness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Depths (Hebrew, _ma'amakim'_):** This plural noun, derived from the root עמק ('amaq), meaning "to be deep," conveys a sense of extreme lowness, profound difficulty, or overwhelming distress. It is not merely a physical location but a metaphorical state of being submerged in trouble, despair, or the crushing weight of sin. It evokes imagery of being in a deep pit, a vast ocean, or a place of utter hopelessness, from which escape seems impossible without divine intervention.
* **Cried (Hebrew, _qara'_):** This verb signifies a strong, urgent, and often loud call or appeal. It is not a casual whisper but a desperate shout, indicating intense earnestness, urgency, and a profound need for help. It implies a direct, personal address to the one being called upon, reflecting the psalmist's direct and unreserved appeal to God.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yahweh'_):** The use of the covenant name of God (represented by "LORD" in all caps in English translations) is highly significant. It emphasizes God's personal, relational, and faithful character. The psalmist is not crying out to a generic deity but to the God who has revealed Himself to Israel, who made a covenant with His people, and who is known for His steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness in hearing and responding to their cries.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ A Song of degrees.":** This superscription identifies the psalm as one of the "Songs of Ascents" (or "Songs of Degrees"), a collection (Psalms 120-134) likely sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem or by Levites ascending the Temple steps. It immediately places the psalm within a context of spiritual journey and communal worship, suggesting that the personal cry that follows is also representative of a collective experience.
* **"Out of the depths":** This powerful phrase establishes the psalmist's profound state of distress. It is a metaphorical expression for being in an overwhelming, desperate, or seemingly inescapable situation. This "depth" can be interpreted as emotional despair, physical danger, or, most profoundly in the context of a penitential psalm, the overwhelming burden and guilt of sin. It communicates a feeling of being submerged and utterly helpless.
* **"have I cried unto thee, O LORD.":** This clause reveals the psalmist's immediate and decisive response to the "depths"—a direct, earnest, and urgent appeal to God. The verb "cried" (Hebrew *qara'*) denotes a desperate shout, signifying intense need. The address "unto thee, O LORD" (Yahweh) highlights the psalmist's confident turning to the covenant God, emphasizing a personal relationship and trust in His character, particularly His willingness and ability to hear and deliver from any dire situation.

#### Literary Devices
The opening verse of Psalm 130 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, with "the depths" serving as a powerful image for extreme distress, despair, or the overwhelming burden of sin. This evokes a sense of drowning or being trapped in a deep, dark pit, making the psalmist's predicament immediately relatable and visceral. The phrase "cried unto thee" utilizes **Personification** by attributing human action (crying out) to the soul in distress, highlighting the intensely personal and urgent nature of the prayer. Furthermore, the psalm employs **Apostrophe** by directly addressing "O LORD," signifying a direct, intimate, and desperate appeal to God, bypassing any intermediaries. The overall structure of the verse, moving from a state of profound despair to an immediate, direct appeal to God, creates a powerful **Contrast** that underscores the psalmist's unwavering faith in God's accessibility and willingness to hear, even from the most seemingly hopeless situations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 130:1 serves as a foundational declaration of human desperation and divine accessibility, echoing a consistent biblical theme: that God hears the cries of His people, especially those who call upon Him from a place of deep need or repentance. This verse sets the stage for the psalm's profound exploration of God's steadfast love and forgiveness, asserting that no depth of sin or suffering can separate a contrite heart from the reach of His mercy. It underscores that true hope in despair is found not in self-reliance or worldly solutions, but in direct, honest appeal to the sovereign, covenant-keeping God, who alone possesses the power to deliver and forgive.

* [Jonah 2:2](/jonah/2-2 "Jonah 2:2 - Jonah's Prayer from the Depths")
* [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - The Lord Hears My Cry")
* [Lamentations 3:55-57](/lamentations/3-55 "Lamentations 3:55-57 - Crying from the Deep Pit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 130:1 offers profound comfort and guidance for navigating the "depths" of life, whether they be moments of acute suffering, overwhelming anxiety, or the heavy burden of sin. It reminds us that our spiritual journey is often marked by seasons of profound distress, but these are precisely the moments when our cries to God become most fervent and our reliance upon Him most absolute. The psalmist's immediate turning to the LORD, without hesitation or attempt to self-rescue, models a radical dependence that is both humbling and empowering. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of raw honesty before God, acknowledging our helplessness and despair, knowing that He is not distant or indifferent but intimately present and ready to hear. It fosters a deep trust in God's character, assuring us that even when we feel utterly submerged, His ears are open, and His hand is extended to lift us out.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "depths" are you currently experiencing in your life, and how does this verse speak to your situation?**
* **How does the psalmist's immediate cry to the LORD challenge or affirm your own approach to prayer in times of distress?**
* **In what ways does acknowledging your helplessness before God paradoxically strengthen your hope and faith?**

### FAQ
**What does "A Song of degrees" mean?**

Answer: "A Song of degrees" (KJV) or "A Song of Ascents" (most modern translations) refers to a collection of fifteen psalms (Psalms 120-134). Scholars believe these psalms were sung by Jewish pilgrims as they "ascended" to Jerusalem for the three annual pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles). The ascent could be literal, as Jerusalem is situated on a hill, or metaphorical, representing a spiritual journey towards God's presence at the Temple. These psalms often share themes of journey, longing for God, communal solidarity, and trust in divine protection, providing spiritual encouragement for those on their way to worship.

**Why is Psalm 130 considered a "Penitential Psalm"?**

Answer: Psalm 130 is one of the seven "Penitential Psalms" (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143), a grouping identified by early Christian tradition due to their strong themes of confession, repentance, and fervent pleas for God's mercy and forgiveness of sin. While Psalm 130:1 begins with a general cry "Out of the depths," the subsequent verses quickly reveal that the psalmist's primary "depth" is the burden of sin and the longing for God's forgiveness. For instance, [Psalm 130:3-4](/psalms/130-3 "Psalm 130:3-4 - Forgiveness with God") explicitly states, "If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." This focus on divine pardon makes it a quintessential psalm of repentance and hope in God's grace.

**Is "the depths" only about sin, or can it refer to other kinds of distress?**

Answer: While Psalm 130 is a Penitential Psalm and the "depths" certainly encompass the burden of sin, the imagery is broad enough to include other forms of profound distress. The "depths" can metaphorically represent any overwhelming situation: deep sorrow, severe physical illness, intense emotional despair, persecution, or seemingly inescapable danger. The psalmist's cry is a universal human experience of being at one's limit. However, the subsequent verses of Psalm 130 clearly pivot to the theme of sin and forgiveness, suggesting that for this particular psalm, the spiritual "depths" of guilt and the need for divine pardon are paramount. Nevertheless, the initial cry resonates with anyone feeling submerged by life's overwhelming challenges, inviting them to turn to the LORD as their ultimate source of rescue, just as [Jonah cried from the belly of the fish](/jonah/2-2 "Jonah 2:2 - Jonah's Prayer").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 130:1, with its raw cry "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who descended into the deepest "depths" of human suffering and sin to bring about salvation. While the psalmist cries *from* the depths, Christ fully entered *into* the depths—not of His own sin, for He was sinless, but of humanity's sin, bearing its full weight on the cross. His agonizing cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoes the psalmist's desperate plea, yet it was a cry of perfect obedience and substitutionary atonement. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered the ultimate "depths" of sin, death, and hell, offering the ultimate forgiveness and redemption that the psalmist longed for ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Buried with Christ in Baptism")). Therefore, when believers today cry "out of the depths," they do so not merely to a distant LORD, but to the risen Christ, who has personally experienced the profoundest human anguish and who now intercedes for them at the right hand of God ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Intercession")). He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering abundant forgiveness and the promise that no depth can separate His redeemed from the love of God ([Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 42:7

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Psalms 69:14

Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

Psalms 69:15

Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

Jonah 2:2

And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, [and] thou heardest my voice.

Jonah 2:4

Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.

Psalms 71:20

[Thou], which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.