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Expanded Comments |
Hope in the Lord's Forgiving Love.
A Song of Ascents. |
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1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Jehovah.
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Out of the depths – In every life, in the present reign of sin and evil, the somber shades predominate. R5802:2, R1759:2
It is in seasons of overwhelming sorrow, when we draw near to the Lord, that he draws especially near to us. R1759:5, R5802:3
Have I cried – The soul that has never known the discipline of sorrow and trouble has never yet learned the preciousness of the Lord's love and helpfulness. R1759:3
Unto thee, O LORD – The righteousness of our Savior is our glorious dress in which we may come to God with humble boldness, courage. R5802:5
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2 Jehovah, hear my voice:
Let thine ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
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3 If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities,
O Jehovah, who could stand?
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Mark iniquities – When the heart is true and loyal, God does not mark our infirmities in a record against us. R1759:6
Mark against us the unavoidable blemishes of our earthen vessel. R5802:5
Who shall stand? – David, feeling his own shortcomings, longed for full deliverance from every imperfection. R5802:3
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4 But there is forgiveness with thee,
That thou mayest be feared.
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There Is forgiveness – Mercy is one of the grandest and most impressive features of the divine character. R3599:2
The fact that God gives us credit for our heart intentions prompts us to greater reverence for him. R5681:1
That thou mayest – It is God's love which constrains us to seek him, desire to serve him, and walk in the footsteps of Jesus. R4931:3
If God were not forgiving and merciful, we might indeed be in terror before him, but we could not love him, not have the same incentive to righteousness. R3599:2
Feared – Reverenced. R1759:5, R4931:3
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5 I wait for Jehovah, my soul doth wait,
And in his word do I hope.
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I wait for the LORD – How necessary is the patient waiting on the Lord. R1759:6, R5802:6
"Wait patiently for him ... and he shall bring it to pass." (Psa. 37:7, 5) R1760:1
Do I hope – He loves us too well to permit any needless sorrow, any needless suffering. R5802:6
God has not forgotten when the answers to our prayers seem to tarry long. R1760:1
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6 My soul waiteth for Jehovah
More than watchmen wait for the morning;
Yes, more than watchmen for the morning.
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More than they – Who are watching from the standpoints of socialism, nationalism, and other human plans and hopes. R1760:4
For the morning – The Millennial morning. R1760:1
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7 O Israel, hope in Jehovah;
For with Jehovah there is lovingkindness,
And with him is plenteous redemption.
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8 And he will redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.
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