3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 130
Commentary on Psalms 130 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 130
Ps 130:1-8. The penitent sinner's hope is in God's mercy only.
1, 2. depths—for great distress (Ps 40:2; 69:3).
3. shouldest mark—or, "take strict account" (Job 10:14; 14:16), implying a confession of the existence of sin.
who shall stand—(Ps 1:6). Standing is opposed to the guilty sinking down in fear and self-condemnation (Mal 3:2; Re 6:15, 16). The question implies a negative, which is thus more strongly stated.
4. Pardon produces filial fear and love. Judgment without the hope of pardon creates fear and dislike. The sense of forgiveness, so far from producing licentiousness, produces holiness (Jer 33:9; Eze 16:62, 63; 1Pe 2:16). "There is forgiveness with thee, not that thou mayest be presumed upon, but feared."
5, 6. wait for the Lord—in expectation (Ps 27:14).
watch for, &c.—in earnestness and anxiety.
7, 8. Let Israel, &c.—that is, All are invited to seek and share divine forgiveness.
from all his iniquities—or, "punishments of them" (Ps 40:12, &c.).