Psalm 130 5

Psalm 130:5 kjv

I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Psalm 130:5 nkjv

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.

Psalm 130:5 niv

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Psalm 130:5 esv

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;

Psalm 130:5 nlt

I am counting on the LORD;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.

Psalm 130 verses

Psalm 130 5 Meaning

Psalm 130:5 expresses a deep, resolute, and patient expectation placed entirely upon God. It signifies a hopeful reliance on the Lord's character and actions, particularly His deliverance and forgiveness. The individual's entire being is engaged in this waiting, which is firmly grounded and sustained by faith in God's revealed will and promises, His "word." It highlights a journey from the depths of distress to an abiding hope rooted in divine truth.

Psalm 130 5 Context

Psalm 130 is one of the seven Penitential Psalms (Psa 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) and one of the fifteen Songs of Ascent (Psa 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. Known as "De Profundis" ("Out of the depths"), the psalm begins with the supplicant crying out from profound distress and the awareness of sin (verses 1-4). This sense of deep need leads to a confident declaration of faith and hope in the Lord, despite the weighty burden of transgression. Verse 5 serves as the turning point of the psalm, pivoting from confession of sin and recognition of God's forgiveness to an active, expectant waiting for God. It marks a shift from looking inward at one's condition to looking upward to God's unfailing promise and nature. Historically, this psalm might have been sung by individuals or the community in times of national disaster, exile, or personal conviction of sin, reflecting a reliance solely on God's covenant faithfulness for deliverance.

Psalm 130 5 Word analysis

• I wait: The Hebrew verb is qāwāh (קָוָה), which means to wait for, to look eagerly for, to hope. It is not a passive waiting, but an active, expectant posture, involving patience, longing, and a confident anticipation. It implies a stretching forth or straining towards the object of hope.
• for the LORD: Refers to YHWH (יְהוָה), the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with His people and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. The focus is entirely on Him as the object of trust and expectation, contrasting with reliance on self or other sources.
• my soul waits: The Hebrew word nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ) for "soul" often signifies the whole being – mind, will, emotions, and life force. The repetition of "waits" for the soul emphasizes the deep, internal, and comprehensive nature of this waiting, engaging the entirety of the person's inner self, not just a superficial action. It denotes a profound and persistent longing from the deepest core of one's being.
• and in his word: The Hebrew word dāvār (דָבָר) translates as "word," but it can also encompass a decree, a promise, an instruction, a command, or the revealed will of God. It signifies God's dependable and authoritative revelation of Himself and His plans. This "word" provides the concrete, stable ground upon which the hope is built; it's not a vague optimism but a hope anchored in God's character and truthful promises.
• I hope: The Hebrew verb yāḥal (יָחַל) means to hope, to expect, to trust, to wait patiently. It is often synonymous with qāwāh but can carry an additional nuance of enduring trust and sustained expectation, emphasizing the firmness and perseverance of the hope. While 'wait' indicates the posture, 'hope' defines the nature of the expectation.

• Words-group analysis:
• "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits": This is an emphatic double declaration of waiting, highlighting its active, personal, and wholehearted nature. The repetition underscores the depth, sincerity, and comprehensive engagement of the individual in waiting exclusively for God. It means that the waiting is not just external but penetrates to the very core of one's being.
• "and in his word I hope": This phrase directly states the foundation of the intense waiting. The hope is not arbitrary but explicitly anchored in God's revealed truth and His reliable promises. God's Word acts as both the sustenance and the assurance for the hopeful expectation, demonstrating that biblical hope is always informed and secure.

Psalm 130 5 Bonus section

This verse embodies the active nature of biblical waiting, which differs significantly from a casual or inactive pause. It involves a continuous state of alertness, prayer, and trust, similar to how a servant intently watches their master for instruction (Psa 123:2). It is often linked with steadfast endurance and perseverance, recognizing that God's timing is perfect. The reliance on "His word" also points to the foundational principle of all biblical hope: it is always grounded in God's explicit revelation, not in human speculation or fleeting emotions. This is a critical polemic against reliance on unreliable sources or transient human efforts for salvation or solace. For Christians, "His word" finds its ultimate expression and fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the Living Word (John 1:1) and through whom all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Cor 1:20). Thus, Christian hope in God's word is ultimately hope in Christ.

Psalm 130 5 Commentary

Psalm 130:5 captures the essence of biblical waiting and hope. It is not a passive resignation but an active, deliberate posture of patient expectation focused solely on God. Coming "out of the depths," the psalmist, burdened by sin and distress, finds a firm ground for hope not in his own merits or efforts, but in the unwavering character and specific promises of the Lord. The repeated emphasis on "I wait" and "my soul waits" demonstrates a total personal commitment, indicating that this waiting permeates the entire being. The crucial element is "his word," which serves as the concrete foundation for this hope. It is God's revealed truth, His covenant faithfulness, and His past acts of salvation that provide the assurance for future deliverance. Thus, the verse articulates a faith that, even in profound difficulty, clings to God's unchanging promises, demonstrating an enduring trust that expects divine intervention and salvation according to His revealed will.