Psalms 130 · Verse 1

Psalms 130:1

A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
Psalms 130:1, King James Version

Psalms 130:1 in other translations

BSBA song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!
WEBA Song of Ascents. Out of the depths I have cried to you, LORD.
ASVA Song of Ascents. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Jehovah.
YLTA Song of the Ascents. From depths I have called Thee, Jehovah.
DARBYA Song of degrees. Out of the depths do I call upon thee, Jehovah.
BBEOut of the deep have I sent up my cry to you, O Lord.
WebsterA Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried to thee, O LORD.

What does Psalms 130:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 130:1-2

Psa 130:1-8. The penitent sinner's hope is in God's mercy only.

1-2. depths--for great distress (Psa 40:2; 69:3).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The prayer of a penitent to God, with confession of sin, Psa 130:1-3. Confidence in God's mercy, and waiting upon him, Psa 130:4-6. Israel is encouraged to hope in the Lord, because of his willingness to save, Psa 130:7, Psa 130:8. This Psalm has no title nor author's name, either in the Hebrew, or in any of the Versions; though the Syriac says it was spoken of Nehemiah the priest. It was most probably composed during the captivity; and contains the complaint of the afflicted Jews, with their hopes of the remission of those sins which were the cause of their sufferings, and their restoration from captivity to their own land. This is one of those called penitential Psalms. Verse 1 Out of the depths - The captives in Babylon represent their condition like those who are in a prison - an abyss or deep ditch, ready to be swallowed up.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 130:1-4
The only way of relief for a sin-entangled soul, is by applying to God alone. Many things present themselves as diversions, many things offer themselves as remedies, but the soul finds that the Lord alone can heal. And until men are sensible of the guilt of sin, and quit all to come at once to God, it is in vain for them to expect any relief. The Holy Ghost gives to such poor souls a fresh sense of their deep necessity, to stir them up in earnest applications, by the prayer of faith, by crying to God. And as they love their souls, as they are concerned for the glory of the Lord, they are not to be wanting in this duty. Why is it that these matters are so long uncertain with them? Is it not from sloth and despondency that they content themselves with common and customary applications to God? Then let us up and be doing; it must be done, and it is attended with safety. We are to humble ourselves before God, as guilty in his sight. Let us acknowledge our sinfulness; we cannot justify ourselves, or plead not guilty. It is our unspeakable comfort that there is forgiveness with him, for that is what we need. Jesus Christ is the great Ransom; he is ever an Advocate for us, and through him we hope to obtain forgiveness. There is forgiveness with thee, not that thou mayest be presumed upon, but that thou mayest be feared. The fear of God often is put for the whole worship of God. The only motive and encouragement for sinners is this, that there is forgiveness with the Lord.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Psalms 130:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

מִמַּעֲמַקִּ֖יםmi.ma.'a.ma.Kimfrom [the] depthsH4615
קְרָאתִ֣יךָke.ra.Ti.chaI call out to youH7121
יְהוָֽה\׃Yah.wehO YahwehH3068

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 130:1

  • 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 42:7

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

  • Psalms 69:14-15

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

  • Jonah 2:2-4

    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. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. 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.

  • Psalms 69:1-2

    To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

  • Psalms 116:3-4

    The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

  • Psalms 25:16-18

    Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

  • Lamentations 3:53-55

    They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me. Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off. I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon.

  • Psalms 18:16

    He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

  • Psalms 40:2

    He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

  • Psalms 88:6-7

    Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 The psalmist professes his hope in prayer;
5 and his patience in hope.
7 He exhorts Israel to trust in God.

A.M. cir. 3464. B.C. cir. 540. (Title.) A Song.
121:1; 122:1; 123:1; 124:1; 125:1; 126:1; 127:1; 128:1; *titles
129:1; *titles
Out of.
18:4-6,16; 25:16-18; 40:2; 42:7; 69:1,2,14,15; 71:20; 88:6,7
116:3,4; La 3:53-55; Jon 2:2-4; Heb 5:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 130:1

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

  • Psalms 130:2

    Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

Read all of Psalms 130

Psalms 130:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Cántico gradual. DE los profundos, oh Jehová, á ti clamo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Cantique des degrés. Je t’ai invoqué des lieux profonds, ô Éternel!
German
Elberfelder 1871		Aus den Tiefen rufe ich zu dir, Jehova!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Canticum graduum David. Domine, non est exaltatum cor meum, neque elati sunt oculi mei, neque ambulavi in magnis, neque in mirabilibus super me.