Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.
This Psalm is offered to God with deep and heartfelt humility. The Psalmist acknowledges his own sinfulness and weakness. He needs God’s help. He is not able to help himself. He cannot argue with God or bargain with Him. He cannot build up a case for himself by blaming others for the troubles caused by his own sins. He can never make a claim that he is not so bad compared to others who are much worse. He has no right to say anything to justify himself, so he openly admits his faults and sinfulness. He realizes that he cannot stand in the Lord’s presence. Yet He knows the Lord to be kind and merciful so he trusts Him and knows that his prayer will be answered. Deliverance is his because of God’s faithfulness to those who so trust Him.
What a stark contrast to the ways and attitudes we see manifested in our world these days. Openly, most people, celebrities and politicians as well as protesters, rioters, and various criminals will rarely admit to wrongdoing, even when caught in the act. Rarely will any make apologies because they are convinced they have done nothing wrong, but when they do, these apologies fall flat for they blame someone else, or, as is common now, they blame the system.
Humility is a necessity for prayer that honors God. No one gets into the Kingdom of God based on their own merits, for all are sinners, a truth that is these days considered taboo or unkind. Yet the truth is that all must admit to guilt and sinfulness. All must repent and accept the faith Jesus offers so they may trust in Him and live for Him.