Bible Strands
Psalms 130:1
A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The singer of an ascent procession addresses the LORD directly from a position of extreme distress. The utterance opens the psalm and immediately precedes a request for divine attention to the speaker's plea.
The words — The phrase מִמַּעֲמַקִּים (mi./ma.'a.ma.Kim) literally means "from the depths," paired with קְרָאתִיךָ (ke.ra.Ti./cha), which translates as "I call out to you." These terms anchor the verse in a direct, unmediated appeal to Yahweh.
The thread — This cry echoes in Psalms 42:7 and Psalms 69:14, where similar imagery of deep waters and desperate pleas appears. Hebrews 5:7 later records Jesus offering prayers with loud cries and tears to the One able to save.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that desperate circumstances do not sever communication with God. It requires the reader to voice their own distress directly to Yahweh without waiting for perfect circumstances or emotional clarity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 5:7 During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.
- Psalms 42:7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me.
- Psalms 69:14 Rescue me from the mire and do not let me sink; deliver me from my foes and out of the deep waters.
- Jonah 2:2 saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.
- Psalms 25:16 Turn to me and be gracious, for I am lonely and afflicted.
- Psalms 69:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck.
- Psalms 71:20 Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up.
- Psalms 116:3 The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.
- Lamentations 3:53 They dropped me alive into a pit and cast stones upon me.
- Psalms 18:16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.