Psalms 130:4

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

Key Reflection

Psalms 130:4 expresses the overwhelming sense of human sinfulness and the severity of divine justice. The psalmist acknowledges that if God were to keep a record of all sins, no one could possibly stand before Him in judgment (WEB). This verse underscores the depth of humanity's transgressions and highlights the need for God’s mercy and forgiveness, themes central to biblical theology and foundational for understanding the Christian message of salvation.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

But there is forgiveness with thee -The Septuagint renders thisἱλασμόςhilasmos, propitiation, reconciliation; the Latin Vulgate “propitiatio,” propitiation. The Hebrew word means “pardon.” The idea is, that sin may be forgiven; or, that God is a Being who does pardon sin, and that this is the only ground of hope. When we come before God, the ground of our hope is not that we can justify ourselves; not that we can prove we have not sinned; not that we can explain our sins away; not that we can offer an apology for them; it is only in a frank and full confession, and in a hope that God will forgive them. He who does not come in this manner can have no hope of acceptance with God.

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