Journeying to Easter - Part 1ნიმუში

Qavah

Psalm 130 is a penitential psalm beginning with a powerful petition for mercy: ‘Out of the depths I cry to thee, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice!’ There is an intensity of yearning in this psalm that’s also in v5: ‘I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope.’ But what does it really mean to wait for the Lord?

The word ‘wait’ in this passage is the Hebrew word ‘qavah’ and means ‘to look eagerly for’, but as with many Hebrew words, there’s much greater depth to its meaning than that. Motyer, an Irish biblical scholar, wrote of this passage, ‘Hope (with its biblical dimension of certainty) is one facet of qavah, which also includes ‘waiting’ (patience) and ‘resting’ (trusting). The participial form points to those in whom this relationship (of expectation, patience, and trust) with the Lord is unchanging.’

Motyer is highlighting that to wait is not just to be patient but also to rest in the certainty of God’s hope. The culmination of this patient, restful waiting can be found in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – and it’s why it’s such a beautiful passage to include in our meditations as we journey together, preparing our hearts for Easter.

This psalm is also one of the ‘psalms of ascent.’ It’s a psalm sung as pilgrims prayed on their way to Jerusalem and as they climbed the steps of the Temple. As we journey in our hearts towards Easter, let’s remember to rest in the surety of hope that has been made available to us through the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Written by LUCY WEIL