A Song of degrees.

This psalm contains, (1.) David’s earnest cries to God, out of the depths of corruption, desertion, temptation, or trouble, ver. 1-2. (2.) His ingenuous repentance, in the faith of God’s merciful forgiveness, ver. 3-4. (3.) His attentive waiting on God for his favours, ver. 5-6. (4.) His encouraging expectations from God, ver. 7-8.

While I sing, let my soul go and do likewise. While the unbounded mercy and plenteous redemption of Jehovah remains unexhausted, let my soul cry mightily in every trouble; believe forgiveness under the deepest sense of guilt; and quietly hope and wait for the salvation of God. Let never hopeless despair steel my heart against a God of grace.

1 Lord, from the depths to thee I cried.
2 My voice, Lord, do thou hear:
Unto my supplication’s voice
give an attentive ear.

3 Lord, who shall stand, if thou, O Lord,
should’st mark iniquity?
4 But yet with thee forgiveness is,
that feared thou mayest be.

5 I wait for God, my soul doth wait,
my hope is in his word.
6 More than they that for morning watch,
my soul waits for the Lord;

I say, more than they that do watch
the morning light to see.
7 Let Israel hope in the Lord,
for with him mercies be;

And plenteous redemption
is ever found with him.
8 And from all his iniquities
he Isr’el shall redeem.