Dave's Diary

This week our focus moves to our final Psalm in this “Season in the Psalms”, Psalm 130. Each day, we’ll meditate on a verse or two in light of the daily Psalm(s). As an added extra, because this particular Psalm has inspired so many musical expressions, I’ll also share a link to a song based on Psalm 130 each day. Today’s video can be found here. It’s a 4-part harmony acapella rendering of the Psalm to the tune ‘Martyrdom’ by “Crown Hymn”.

Daily Readings: Psalm 133-134 and Psalm 130

Today you’re invited to memorise Psalm 130:1, which is just this one heart-breaking sentence:

“Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord”

In the context of the Psalm it becomes evident that the “depths” from which the Psalmist cried out to God were the depths of guilt and shame. As David Guzik writes in his commentary, “Many have been drowned in these depths.” When we are overwhelmed by a sense of our own failures, weaknesses, shortcomings and sins, it is very easy to give up on ourselves and to believe the devilish voices in our heads telling us what useless imposters we are. But then there’s this verse – a plaintiff, mournful, heart-breaking invitation to lift out voices, even from the depths of our despair, and cry out to the only One who can do anything about it, our Lord!

As you meditate on this profound verse today, please do so in light of Psalm 133:1

“How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!”

In the context of Psalm 130:1 it seems to me that the Lord would have us soften our hearts towards fellows believers around us who are perhaps caught in the depths of guilt and shame, and allow Him to use us as instruments of His grace and love in their lives. We are God’s family, and we can hold our brothers and sisters close in love when the waves of despair wash over them. We can remind them that they have a loving and forgiving heavenly Father who stands ready to forgive and restore them.

How will you be God’s messenger of mercy in someone’s life today?

Lord, use me as Your messenger of mercy to someone who is drowning in despair today. I make myself available. I am at Your service. Amen.