A Psalm of the Gospel

Psalm 130 is a song of ascents. This means that the Israelites sang this psalm as they traveled to Jerusalem for one of the three annual sacred assemblies. The 3rd and 4th verses of this psalm contain the essence of the gospel.

 

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?

 

But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

 

The psalmist acknowledges that no one can stand before God apart from his mercy. Then, he reminds us that there is forgiveness with God. This wonderful truth blows the psalmist away, so his response to the forgiveness of God is a holy and awed fear.

 

Ask God to let the power of the gospel wash over you. May God grant each of us the courage to live in grateful and holy fear of the awesome forgiveness granted by Christ.

 

The humility celebrated in this psalm must form the basis of your parenting. Parental authority is best shown when parents are in awe of being forgiven and the power of gospel. This will lead to a compassionate resolve and a gentle firmness in leading your children towards Christ.

Shepherd Press