Praying With the PsalmsSample

Finding release through confession

“But there is forgiveness with You, therefore You are feared” (Psalms 130:4)

The fifth part of the Psalms consists of 107-150. Psalm 130 speaks of distress, but apparently, there is also something wrong between the writer and God (verses 1-3). Perhaps it was a personal wrongdoing. It might have been that Israel as a nation had sinned. And sin invariably gets in the way of our relationship with God. But things do not have to stay that way. God grants liberating forgiveness if guilt is acknowledged. That forgiveness results in grateful awe towards God (verse 4). It gives hope that God is like that (verses 5-8). God is a God of forgiveness and restoration. We can rely on Him for that always (1 John 1:9). Do not hide yourself when you realize you have committed a sin. It is both necessary and liberating to acknowledge that you were in the wrong. Confessing your sins before God is safe because He wants to forgive for Jesus’ sake.

Prayer exercise:

Read Psalm 130 aloud and apply verses 1-2 to your own need or sin by writing them down. Read the rest of the Psalm as an encouragement, and end your prayer by thanking God for His forgiveness and presence.