Psalms 130:3

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

If thou, LORD {H3050}, shouldest mark {H8104} iniquities {H5771}, O Lord {H136}, who shall stand {H5975}?

Yah, if you kept a record of sins, who, Adonai, could stand?

If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand?

If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

Psalms 130:3 (KJV) presents a profound theological truth about God's perfect justice and humanity's inherent sinfulness. This verse, part of a "Song of Ascents," captures a desperate plea for mercy from the depths of a troubled soul, acknowledging that no one could endure God's scrutiny if He were to meticulously record every transgression.

Context

Psalm 130 is one of the seven Penitential Psalms (along with 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 143), characterized by confession of sin and an earnest appeal for God's mercy. As a "Song of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), it was likely sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for festivals, reflecting a journey of spiritual introspection and longing for God. This particular verse arises from a deep awareness of personal and corporate sin, leading the psalmist to contemplate the dire consequences of God's unmitigated judgment.

Key Themes

  • God's Holiness and Justice: The verse highlights the absolute purity and righteousness of God, implying that His standards are impossibly high for fallen humanity. If God were to strictly "mark" or keep account of every sin, no one would be found innocent.
  • Human Sinfulness: It underscores the universal reality of human imperfection and "iniquities" (sins, moral perversions). The rhetorical question, "who shall stand?", powerfully conveys humanity's utter inability to justify itself before a holy God. This foundational truth is echoed throughout Scripture, reminding us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
  • The Desperate Need for Mercy: By exposing the impossibility of standing on one's own merit, the verse subtly sets the stage for the next verse, which speaks of God's forgiveness. It establishes the foundational need for divine grace and pardon.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "shouldest mark iniquities" translates the Hebrew verb shamar (שָׁמַר), which means "to watch, guard, observe, keep account of." It implies a meticulous record-keeping, as if God were noting down every single wrong deed. The word for "iniquities," avon (עָוֹן), refers not just to a mistake, but to guilt, perversity, or the punishment for guilt – a deliberate twisting of what is right. The use of both "LORD" (Yahweh, God's covenant name) and "Lord" (Adonai, signifying master or sovereign) emphasizes both God's personal relationship with His people and His ultimate authority. The rhetorical question "who shall stand?" (מִי יַעֲמֹד) effectively means "no one could stand" or "no one could survive" such a judgment.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of our constant need for God's mercy and grace. It cultivates humility, preventing self-righteousness and prompting genuine repentance. Recognizing that we cannot "stand" on our own merits before a holy God drives us to seek His forgiveness. It points us to the glorious truth that because of God's character, as revealed in the very next verse, "there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." Our hope lies not in our ability to be perfect, but in God's willingness to pardon through His immense love and the redemptive work of Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 143:2

    And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

  • Psalms 76:7

    ¶ Thou, [even] thou, [art] to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

  • Romans 3:20

    Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

  • Romans 3:24

    Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

  • John 8:7

    So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

  • John 8:9

    And they which heard [it], being convicted by [their own] conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, [even] unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

  • Job 10:14

    ¶ If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.

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