The of Hope in the Rev. A. A. Brugge - Psalm 130, verses 5-8

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Beloved, the words of our text are from Psalm 130, verses 5 to 8. Let us read these verses together. “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” This text draws our attention to The Revelation of Hope in the Soul. We wish to consider three thoughts for our meditation:

1. A patient expectation (verses 5 and 6) 2. A powerful exhortation (verse 7) 3. A triumphant (verse 8)

1. A patient expectation Psalm 130 is a song from out of the depths; in Latin, de profundis. It is about looking up. God is holy and great, and I--with all my knowledge, my experience, my feelings of being treated unrighteously by others, and all my sufferings--am unholy and small. The pilgrims sang the Songs of Degrees, those fifteen psalms, on their way to the temple, to the altar where sacrifices had to be made. This is how serious is to God; it is so serious that payment has to be made. But what a wonder that payment could be made for sin. That the sinner does not have to pay, but that there is a sacrificial animal. For without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Only then that beautiful moving verse applies, “Jehovah bless thee from above.” His favour from Zion is for refreshing, for instruction, and for guidance. The

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge shedding of blood is required; otherwise, God cannot have any dealings with an unholy people and with this sinful world.

Sins are no trifles, injustices, or mistakes. That is what we perhaps may conveniently think for ourselves. Then we say, ‘Yes, we are all sinners; the evidence can be seen all around us.’ But how does the pilgrim look upon it, when he sings this psalm out of the depths? Yes, the main question is: How do you and I look upon it? For don’t forget that also absolutely provides a hope, but it is only hot air; it is only vanity. Are you following after him and chasing after his deceiving promises? In the end it will be revealed that the hope he provided was illusionary, like a burst soap bubble. In contrast, the Lord gives real hope and true expectation to those who are made aware of this cleft; the Lord is holy and I am unholy. This works an upright confession, ‘I owned my trespass. My sin hid not from Thee.’ In Psalm 130, verse 4, we heard, “But there is forgiveness with Thee.” These words revive the hope.

With us there is no reason to be found for that hope. Our iniquities do not give any hope whatsoever. Neither do our self-righteousnesses with which we always think to be able to make ourselves acceptable before God and with which we try to move Him to look upon us in favour. No, only with Thee, O Source of consolation and light, there is forgiveness so that Thou mayest be feared. Does God then sweep sin under the carpet? Not at all. A Sacrifice has been brought. Not a bullock, nor a goat, but the perfect Sacrifice, which has satisfied once and for all, Jesus, God’s own Child. Therefore, look upon the Lamb of God.

Congregation, do not think, “But with Thee there is forgiveness,” while on the other hand you also try to lean on those self-righteousnesses. No, it is not fifty-fifty, as what the Lord does is perfect and complete, and without ulterior motives. For living these words, “But with Thee…” are a breath of fresh air. Hope is revived and there is expectation. And do you know how that expectation is worked? Not by the mind, but through a supernatural knowledge, by the working of God’s Word and Spirit. Have all things then been solved and have we then arrived? Some people think that’s the case. Then I have received it. Then I can see it, and on the one hand, that is indeed so. From God’s side it stands firm. But, ‘Wilt Thou say it to my soul, Lord? Wilt Thou Thyself grant me that , Thy mercy, the grace to enable me

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge to rest in Thee, and the assurance that accompanies it?’ See congregation, then you are waiting upon the Lord.

The psalm continues, “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope" (verse 5). There is , deliverance, and rest. There is a blessing which passes all understanding. The Lord Himself has promised it in the promise of His Word, and that made the soul breathe in verse 4. But now the fulfilment thereof! Wilt Thou speak to me, so that I may say, ‘His word of grace I praise. His promise stands secure.’

“I wait for the LORD.” No, the emphasis is not on the word I. If I were in the centre then there would still be some in me; then it would ultimately still be about my honour and my salvation. But no, it is about His honour and His mercy. The Lord is in the centre, for He grants forgiveness; He gives the blessing, He refreshes and comforts greatly.

“I wait for the LORD.” Children, may I ask what your expectations are? Sure, you hope that things will go well at school this week. Maybe you have several tests, and there is a lot of work to be done; you have a full agenda. You trust that everything will go smoothly, but what do you expect for your soul? What do you expect concerning your state before the Lord? By nature your desire is for pleasant feelings. We want to feel good. But the real standard for our expectation is not something that is to be found here below, not something in myself, and not my pleasant feelings. Do you know what it then is? In need am I, and poor; O God, make haste, I pray; Thou art my Saviour and my help, O Lord, make no delay. (Psalter 189:4)

Thy coming into my soul is the only thing that makes my salvation perfect. “I wait,” the poet says. This biblical waiting is not being lazy. That is not sitting in a comfortable arm chair with folded arms. That is not bending your knees and opening your Bible on occasion when you feel like it. Waiting is something that is alive. It is active. There are people who say they are expectant people, but you can

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge never notice that their expectation is really alive. No, when you feel the distance between your soul and God to be great, when you know that you have no rights at all, but that the Lord has goods which can comfort and bless you, then your attitude will not be one of passivity or resignation. Then you do not say, ‘We will see how things will work out; I trust it will turn out all right in the end.’ No, then your heart is yearning ardently.

Perhaps you say, ‘Well, yes, that is how it should be in my life. Don’t think that I am not aware of how it should be.’ But congregation, only if the Lord comes into your life will it be different. Let me persuade you to confess the guilt of your sinfulness and laziness before the Lord, for any day could be our last day. Is the Lord not worthy to be honoured, served, feared, and followed?

“I wait for the LORD.” That is really amazing and remarkable, because He whom I am waiting for is also the One against whom I have sinned. He is the Lord, whose Law I have trodden under foot and whose instructions I have conveniently ignored. We reason everything conveniently away, such as I am a sinner and the whole world is sinning. Yes, in that respect it is convenient to be like a sheep, simply following the crowd. But when we look at our text, then we see that something has changed in the heart. Then I no longer follow the crowd, which departs from the Lord and turn their backs and necks to Him. But I wait for the Lord, the Source of consolation and peace. But this Lord is a God who does by no means hold the guilty guiltless. That is why a sacrifice is required. We are going to the temple. “I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat,” the Lord says in Exodus 25, verse 22. That is why I am waiting on the Lord, through the ministry of reconciliation.

Congregation, you can count the blood of the atonement an unholy thing by your thoughts, by your life, and by your manner of listening. How close this comes, extremely close! Is this true for you as well? Do not say, ‘Yes, I know.’ If only you would feel guilty. If only you did bow in the dust before God. If only you did pour out your heart before the Lord, not leaning on your own insights, but expecting it from the Lord above. “I wait for the LORD.” Waiting and expecting as the exercise, the breathing, of the soul. Is there anything else that can satisfy you?

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge

We need forgiveness and cannot do with anything less in our life. “But there is forgiveness with Thee” (verse 4), and therefore I wait for it. That expectation is not without foundation, but one’s is, ‘Lord, wilt Thou say it Thyself? May I hear it in a sermon, under the ministry of Thy Word? May I hear Thy voice in it?’ Such expectation pervades really everything. It takes hold of you in an all- compassing manner.

My soul waits for the Lord; this says it even more strongly. My soul is my whole being, from which are the issues of the heart. Your soul; that is the most precious thing you have. Young people, the most precious thing you have is your soul. Your soul is eternal. It goes to its eternal home. But we are far more occupied with our bodies than our souls. I am sure I am not telling you anything new when I say this. We want to beautify our bodies. We want to look youthful and athletic. But permit me to ask you a simple question; I trust you don’t mind me doing so. Are you concerned with your soul as well? Maybe you are eighty years old and say, ‘I do not worry so much about my body shape anymore.’ But that does not automatically mean that you are concerned with the welfare of your soul. And if that is the case, then that is very serious, for then you are not waiting upon God.

In this psalm we find the opposite. My soul waits for the Lord and for His forgiveness, for there is forgiveness with Thee. My soul waits for it. My current situation is untenable. You would suffocate and perish in the dung and in the mud of your own filthiness. But … my soul is waiting. Do you know when your situation becomes untenable? Not when the water is at your knees. Then you still have enough strength yourself. But when the water reaches unto your lips, then you will call out and cry out. Your soul waits in earnestness when the waves and billows terrify your anxious soul.

Congregation, are you crying out? ‘Of course,’ you say. ‘And I pray as well.’ But are you waiting for an answer then as well? That is what we see in our text, “I wait for the LORD.” That is not just a being occupied, but then it lives in our soul, ‘What will He do; what will He answer me?’

“My soul doth wait,” and then “and in His word do I hope.” Here we see someone who is taking hold of His Word. This hope in His Word is not a self-made

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge hope. It is not a hope for a person you like and who speaks sympathizing words to you. Neither is it an expectation of people you do not like; you won’t attach much value to their words anyway. Such people are usually less generous in their comments. No, what counts is not the words of people, of mortal beings, of sinners like you and I, but it is His Word that counts; God’s Word.

Why do you think that Word of the Lord has so much value? Let me tell you. You and I are humans, and people can disappoint you immensely. You can be really disillusioned by people of whom you had great expectations. A soul yearning for forgiveness is not helped by what people say, because this will cause you to say, ‘Is there now forgiveness for me, or is there no forgiveness for me after all?’ But the Word of God stands firm. His Word is founded on everlasting mountains; His Word is eternal and powerful. The Word that came from His lips remains firm and unbroken, and that is why I hope in His Word. For when the Lord opens His mouth and speaks with the powerful workings of His Spirit, then the Word penetrates to the bottom of your soul and your life. Then you forget all the voices which you have heard before. Then that Word is lively and powerful. The Lord comes with authority. Then I hope in His Word in truth.

“Oh that thou wouldest rend the , that thou wouldest come down” (Isaiah 64:1). This is a cry. It is a call for the fulfilment, to receive that forgiving grace. It is not enough just to know that there is grace. There are also among us those who know that there is grace. They can tell you that the Lord pointed out to them the Door in the valley of Achor, as it were. But in their heart there is a living cry, ‘Lord, will Thou confirm it to me, though I have forfeited it so many times. Wilt Thou speak to my soul and make me taste the certainty of it?’ Because, congregation, when the Lord comes over and He speaks in our soul, then it is certain. That there are differences in degree and measure may all be true. But when the Lord Himself comes with His Word, then it is certain. Each act of faith comprises a deed of .

There may perhaps be someone here who says, ‘I am not a stranger to this.’ Oh, if that is the case, then do pray with the poet of Psalm 119, verse 49, “Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope.” Lord, make it true. Confirm Thy own Word to me. That is true hope. That is what

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge gives life to a child of God. It feeds his soul and grants life to him. I hope upon His Word while my soul waits upon Him. That is what you can be jealous of, congregation; it permeates, it is alive, and it is real. You notice that inner life; it is genuine and living. There are people who always say the right words, but it is nothing more than an empty refrain; you can just feel that there is no real life in it. But when it lives, you will know it, because it is earnest. That is something which you cannot imitate. Then you do not hear a flood of cold words.

Now the psalm says, “I wait.” That may sound like leaning back with folded arms. In verse 5 the poet was still yearning in an active sense. Now it seems that he is becoming somewhat passive, in the sense of, ‘If it is meant to come, then it will come. And if it not meant to come, then it will not come.’ Yes, it may seem this is the case with the poet, but it is not! Let me tell you why his expectation is a very ardent expectation. Such expecting is not the work of man but the work of the Lord. Do you know why the soul is waiting so expectantly? She anticipates a reality.

Imagine a city with a wall around it. In ancient times there were watchmen on the city walls. Those watchmen had to warn the people when they saw enemies approaching. You can understand that those watchmen had been trained to do this work. During daylight hours you could see everything that happened outside the wall, but now imagine that there is a hostile army close by, and it is night. Then it is dark. And good watchmen know that, even though they have trained ears to listen for particular sounds in the night time, danger is lurking in the dark. You cannot see the enemy approaching. Consequently, the watchman is glad when day has dawned, for then he can see what is going on. Then he is reassured. And so it is for our soul. When it is night, in other words, when the Lord has not yet spoken, “I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine” (Isaiah 43:1). Or, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye” (Psalm 32:8). Then you may have an expectation, but you are still afraid. Am I not deceiving myself? Am I not just trying to grasp something? And therefore, “My soul waiteth.” I wait like “they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.”

Wilt thou grant light, O Lord? And what makes light to be light? When not only justice is being spoken of (that was in the depths) but also of mercy. When we

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge may behold mercy and we may sing of grace; when grace and truth may meet us from the Source, from the Rock, from the Foundation. He is the Covenant Jehovah, the Covenant God, whose words are yea and amen in Christ, in that sacrifice in the temple square. In the dispensation, He has come and He has given His soul a ransom for many. “All the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Therefore, look down upon me in mercy, for the sake of Thy Son, for Jesus’ sake.

“My soul waiteth for the Lord” and, congregation, pay particular attention to the following, “More than they that watch for the morning.” It is life or death, as it were. It is to live or to perish. That is also how the Canons of Dort put it. To have to perish is bitterer than death. How long will you still maintain yourself in your state of death? How long do you still maintain yourself in the darkness?

“My soul waiteth. I wait, more than they that watch for the morning.” Make it light for me, Lord. Grant me the light of Thy grace, the promise, but also the fulfilment. Congregation, is it your question when the fulfilment will come? Then please listen, as here we have an in-between situation. “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). Particularly verse 8 speaks of this. That is the longing for Him, “who shall redeem Israel from all His iniquities.”

Can you see the light in the text? That is not an artificial light but the light of the Lord. “But unto you that fear My Name shall the Sun of arise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2). The healing is found with Him, the Sun of salvation, which is dawning on the horizon. This leads us to our second thought.

2. A powerful exhortation “Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.” These words resemble a transition. It seems that we are entering a new phase, as verses 7 and 8 seem to belong to the preceding ones in a lesser measure. Verses 5 and 6 spoke about waiting, but now the subject shifts to hoping in the Lord. Not just for an individual but much broader; also for Israel. When there is such a looking and longing with you, and you know yourself what you are seeking for and what you need, not with man, but with the Lord, then you

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge cannot be silent to others, can you? Would you then be able to let your family go on unconcerned and not warned? That is impossible. No, then you say, ‘Come and join me.’ Oh, let Israel hope in the LORD, for outside of the God of Israel, outside the Covenant Jehovah, there is no hope. Outside of Him everything is vain and empty and will come to naught. That which is outside of God will fail you and put you to shame.

Congregation, these verses together reveal a most tender, inviting, and alluring aspect of Psalm 130. Even though it is a penitential psalm, it shows a different side as well, namely, an encouragement to wait upon and hope in the Lord. Some people have the attitude: Better to see it first with my own eyes than to just believe it. I first want to have the proof in my hands, and then I will consider it further; maybe I will then make time for it.

Beloved, with such an attitude you will never get there. Then you will be put to shame. ‘Yes, but,’ you say, ‘I am not Israel.’ Wait a moment; you have been baptized. You are a church goer. No, this does not make you any more worthy to receive grace, but you are to be reproved for your laziness and shocking laid-back attitude. Have you never heard in all the instructions you have received at home, in catechism class, etc., ‘Let Israel hope’? There is reason for expectation.

‘Yes, but the times are so dark.’ Well, that cannot be denied, but God stands above it all, also the times in which we live. And when we talk about these dark times, ‘out of the depths,’ as it says in verse 1, then we should not conveniently forget what Psalm 119 says in Psalter 327:3 Wicked men Thy law forsaking Stirred my indignation strong, For in all my pilgrim journey Thy commandments are my song.

“Let Israel hope in the LORD.” Congregation, please do not build the foundation of your hope on quicksand. Do not put your hope in vain, temporal, perishable, and worldly things. What can be the solid anchor for your soul; what gives true consolation? True consolation and true rest are found elsewhere, with the Lord. And therefore, “Let Israel hope in the LORD,” who does not put to shame.

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge

Let us sing of that from Psalter 151, stanzas 2 and 5.

What time I am afraid I put my trust in Thee; In God I rest, and praise His word, so rich and free; In God I put my trust, I neither doubt nor fear, For man can never harm With God my helper near.

In God, the Lord, I rest, His word of grace I praise, His promise stands secure, Nor fear nor foe dismays; In God I put my trust, I neither doubt nor fear, For man can never harm With God my helper near.

“For with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.” First, “With the LORD there is mercy.” Do you know what He is merciful in? The poor and needy He shall spare, and save their souls from fear. “Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:9).

Second, the Lord is merciful; not because of your self-righteousness, or because of anything in self with which you think to be able to appear before the Lord and to exist before Him. But do you know what He is merciful in? In sending His Own Son. Do you know how He has manifested His goodness? That in His love, “He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). That is mercy. Yes, God is just as well. You only have to think of the first verses of this psalm: If marked by Thee our sin appeared, Who, Lord, could stand in judgment cleared? (Psalter 364:2)

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge

And yet there is unity between the first four verses of this psalm and the verses 5 through 8. The first four verses already speak of hope given by the Lord. It says in verse 4, “For there is forgiveness with Thee.” And then in verse 7 we hear, “For with the LORD there is mercy.”

What is mercy? Mercy is that God like a Shepherd does not get tired of concerning Himself with this flock. Who is this flock? They are people who are numb and asleep, without knowledge of the weight of their own soul, of God’s majesty, and of the things concerning eternity. The fact that God is willing to give you His Word; is that not His mercy? To call you back from wandering in the wrong paths; is that not mercy? Or do you take it all for granted?

Mercy, that is more than that ‘the Lord has no pleasure in your death, but that you turn from your way and live.’ For God’s mercy has been brought about by, and culminated in, the Lord Jesus. Therefore, it is not just a pious wish, but through His Word and Spirit, it will become reality that you would live through Him.

“For with the LORD there is mercy.” How patient He is! Also for those who turn a deaf ear to Him, for those who wilfully shut their eyes, and for those who wilfully argue and are discontented. How merciful He is! Yet, that does not mean you are there. It is necessary that He enlightens your eyes in mercy and make all things clear; that is where we have to be. He took me from destruction’s pit And from the miry clay; Upon a rock He set my feet, And stedfast made my way. (Psalter 111:1).

God is merciful for the sake of the blood, for Jesus’ sake. He was merciful in the way He had to go. He was bound in order that this petitioner might be freed and be delivered from chains, bonds, and shackles. He was bowed down. He humbled Himself and suffered the shame in order to deliver me from shame, guilt, and bonds of death. For He has delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears.

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge

That is what mercy is. Did I deserve this? No. Did I dare to dream of it? No, but yet on this I set my hope.

If this is your expectation; if this is what you asked the Lord for; and the Lord then hears and comes over, then you will say, “The half was not told me” (1 Kings 10:7). It surpasses your expectations and overwhelms you. For with Him there is plenteous redemption. Note that word plenteous. I have been thinking about this. With myself I find also much, a lot. Is that your experience also? Or do you still see plenty with others, in your neighbour, more than with yourself? But there is so much with me as well. So many and so much guilt. Bow then your knees and confess those monsters and evil frames of mind to the Lord. Confess everything; do not leave anything out! Will you do this? With the Lord there is not only an ocean of mercy but also plenteous redemption, irrespective of how deep you wallowed in your sins and swallowed the iniquities, or imbibed legalistic formalism and have felt safe in it. There is plenteous redemption. Good is the Lord and full of kind compassion, Most slow to anger, plenteous in love; Rich is His grace to all that humbly seek Him, Boundless and endless as the heav'ns above. (Psalter 284:2)

Full forgiveness. “The Lord remembers we are dust, and all our frailty knows” (Psalter 278:2). Plenteous redemption; abounding in forgiving. How horrible that sin is, that sin confessed in the depth; it is vile. And yet with Him there is plenteous redemption. How great Thou art! “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). Therefore, look unto Him. “There is no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2). “But the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). “The chastisement of our peace was upon Him” (Isaiah 53:5). “Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.” Would this really be true? Are you not able to lay hold upon it? Are your arms too short? Are you not able to stand, because your legs give way underneath you because of shame? What a blessing then that that hope for God’s people lies eternally firm in Him! What time I am afraid, I put my trust in Thee.

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge

(Psalter 151:2)

3. A triumphant prophecy Verse 8 says, “And He shall redeem Israel from all His iniquities.” Sin is a unity; do you see that? All His iniquities. It is one lump; it is one mass; it is one bundle of iniquities. And now we must not be like Adam, who said, “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me” (Genesis 3:12). We must not act like Eve, who said, “The serpent beguiled me” (Genesis 3:13). No, they are my iniquities. Very personal. They are one. I am part of that, those iniquities. You say, ‘I cannot help being a sinner.’ Do not say that! All my iniquities… I gave Thee not the honour Thou art worthy to receive. I trampled on Thy faithfulness. I held Thee suspect. I found Thy Word and service annoying and restrictive. Or not? Has that ever become your guilt, your iniquity? Iniquity! Hence, not right, but crooked, perverse, and wrong. That is what we are. I cannot say this in a more plain and forceful way. Iniquities, that is plural. The other person, but I as well. I am a gall in the bond of all kinds of iniquities and sins. The sins which you forget, the Lord does not forget, for there is a book of remembrance before Him.

And yet there is hope. “He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” Mention is made of mercy and of redemption. Do you know what the origin of that redemption is? It comes from Him, who opens the deaf ears and who takes away the scales from your eyes. Do you know how those mercies and lovingkindnesses and redemption are revealed? When He opens the heart. Then He grants a life that we have lost, a spiritual life. That is also mercy and redemption. For then we are lifted up out of those iniquities. That mighty stream of foul transgression, which prevails over us from day to day, and for which we have a desire, and nourish, and think and talk about. And you know what follows, yes, what the poet prays for: But Thou, O God, in great compassion, Wilt purge my guilt away. (Psalter 419:2) That is what the poet prays for, to have that forgiveness of sins revealed unto his soul.

“And He shall redeem.” He. Again he mentions the Covenant Jehovah. Psalm 130 is a psalm in which we often read of the LORD in capital letters, that is Jehovah,

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge

God’s own Name, the I AM THAT I AM. To redeem is His work. When that spiritual work begins in our soul, then it is His work. We long for it “like they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.” In the darkness there are enemies whom I cannot see. Therefore, grant me light, O Lord, so that I may discern those enemies.

“He shall redeem Israel.” That is comprehended in His name as well. He will do it. You perhaps say, ‘When will He do it?’ According to His counsel and good pleasure. Never outside of Jesus and His sacrifice and merits. When will He redeem? Is this something like when there are times of hope and then again when there are times without hope? Perhaps this is how you feel and how it comes across in your experience. But let me then tell you what it says in the original Hebrew language. I think that it has been translated correctly. He shall do it. Even if it were only that the words here point to the coming of Jesus, the perfect sacrificial Lamb. But we can also translate the words like this: He redeems. He redeems Israel. Present tense. He redeems, because His Name is God. And what a comfort this is. Then nothing needs to be added, then nothing can be added, for He will do it. Not I, but He. He shall do so for the sake of the supreme Captain and Finisher of faith, who at the time this psalm was penned still had to come in the fullness of time. But He has done it. These words have proved to be true. Death has been slain, so that, being delivered from my cares, I may boast in Him, who gives me joy and happiness.

“He shall redeem Israel.” It does not say . That could have been the case as well. Neither does it say Judah or Simeon. These would have been very fitting names, about whom quite a few things could have been said. But it says Israel, because of the redemption through the blood, through the sufferings and death of One, who has bruised Satan’s head. He will do it. And even if in you there is death, and Satan pursues you and you feel his hot breath, and he nearly catches up with you, do know that He shall redeem. Nothing can prevent this. Not a hoof will remain behind. He shall do it, but your soul may wait, like they that watch for the morning. Your life may be characterized by a hope for mercy and plenteous redemption. Do not expect it from people. It is Paul who plants, Apollos who waters, but God gives the increase.

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge

“He shall redeem Israel.” That stands so firm! “Father, Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me.” The Lord shall redeem His children. And he (that is, My Spirit on all flesh), having come, shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. Christ entered into the sanctuary within the veil with His own blood. That is why He shall redeem Israel and for which He alone will receive the honour. Do you know when He redeems? When He is present and speaks: There is forgiveness with Thee. That are repeat lessons, not because there would be a shortage in that redemption, but here below it remains, “O wretched man that I am” (Romans 7:24).

Do you know when that redemption will finish? When they may be with God undisturbed and without end. When nobody will say any more: I have sinned. I am sick. I am weak, or I am needy. He shall redeem; and that redemption is not just in part. That redemption is not just that in this life only we have hope in Christ, for then we are still of all men most miserable. But it is a redemption through blood; it is the door of the Father’s house above. Through that blood they are delivered from sin, from iniquities, from guilt and pollution. And for the sake of that blood they have a right to everlasting life in order to laud and praise and thank God for ever and ever.

Then Psalm 130 is no longer a song out of the depths. No, then it is a song sung by the singers standing “on the sea of glass” (Revelation 15:2), without low tide and without high tide. Without strife, as a chaste virgin, not having spot or wrinkle. Then no song out of the depth will be heard any more, but only songs on high, to praise God for ever, for tasting His salvation, and that starts already here below.

Psalm 130, a song from out of the depths. My question to you is: Do you know this song from out of the depths? You don’t yet? Seek then and ask for the Lord and His strength. Maybe there are some here who sing this song with a false tune. Still I say: Hope in God, ye waiting people; Mercies great with Him abound; With the Lord a full redemption From the guilt of sin is found. (Psalter 363:5)

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“The Revelation of Hope in the Soul” (Psalm 130:5-8) – Rev. A.A. Brugge

And even if you experience that you lie on the sieve, then just pray: He shall redeem His people, His chosen Israel, From all their sin and evil, And all their gloom dispel.

Amen.

Concluding Psalter 446:4

Hope in the Lord, O nation! For with Him there is grace And plenteous salvation For all who seek His face. He shall redeem His people, His chosen Israel, From all their sin and evil, And all their gloom dispel.

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