Sermon: From the Depths
Bible Passage: Psalm 130
I. The psalmist, who was in a believer, landed in “the Depth” (verse 1)
1. “The Depth” refers to a deep place which is close to Sheol or the Abyss—a place far from God
a. A deep bottomless hole that does not have a stable bottom (a kind of blackhole)
b. A place where people and things can drown forever in chaos
2. The term “the Depth” is used here as a metaphor for:
a. Personal troubles
b. Affliction
c. A bad life situation
3. It is a humanly inescapable place except for an intervention from God
II. What caused the psalmist’s “Abyss experience”?
1. From his confession, it looks like the Abyss situation was caused by his sin (verses 3-4)
a. Verse 3 If you, O Lord, were to keep track of sins, O Lord, who could stand before you?
b. Verse 4 But you are willing to forgive, so that you might be honored
c. The psalmist was not enjoying the Abyss experience
i. Believers end up in the Abyss by chasing mirages
ii. Only in the Abyss will people understand the difference between God and the Abyss
iii. Despite its promises and attractions, believers don’t enjoy the Abyss
d. The psalmist was unable to come out by himself
2. Though God defeated the Abyss at the creation of the world, at times, it tries to trap believers
3. Out of desperation and helplessness, the psalmist cries to God (verses 1-2)
a. Cry (from the deep abyss, he cries to God. Where else he will go?)
b. Listen to my voice/scream
c. Pay attention to
4. The psalmist appeals to God for mercy
a. The reason why he ended up in the Abyss is because he probably made choices that were outside of God’s plan and purpose for his life
b. His decisions and actions hurt God
c. He has no merit before God
i. Verse 3 If you, O Lord, were to keep track of sins, O Lord, who could stand before you?
ii. Verse 4 But you are willing to forgive, so that you might be honored
d. It is a confession of his sins before God
III. While in the Abyss, the psalmist appeals to the character of God (verse 4)
1. The psalmist knows that the Lord forgives (verse 4)
a. This word refers to divine forgiveness (this word is never used for human forgiveness)
b. Suspension of guilt and the resulting distress
2. Man cannot survive even a second if God were to deal with for his sins (verse 3)
3. The psalmist was willing to wait on God for his deliverance and His word for comfort and hope (verse 5)
IV. It looks like that God answered his cry that gave him a theology (verses 5-8)
1. The LORD exhibits loyal love (verse 7)
2. The LORD is more than willing to deliver sinners (verse 7
3. The LORD releases His people from the consequences/result of their sins (verse 8)
4. Believers must learn to wait/hope in God and His deliverance (verse 7)
V. Believers of Jesus sin and end up in the Abyss
1. If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One (1 John 2:1)
2. And he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world (1 John 2:2)
Take Away:
Cry with confession to God and wait for God’s deliverance