Songs of AscentsPsalms 120-134Start with Ps 120 - how far away the singer is

from where they want to beEnd with Ps 133 & 134 - praise and

encouragement to the sanctuary worshippersWithin this flow, Ps 130 brings in sin and guilt

V1"Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord“

Beyond the ability of anyone to helpCry out to God

V2“O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be

attentive to my cry for mercy. “No instant resolution

V3V3 “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O

Lord, who could stand? “SinGuilt

Driven by conscience

V4V4a "But with you there is forgiveness;“

No forgiveness = No HopeV4b "therefore you are feared."

Feared?Ps 111:10a “The fear of the Lord is the

beginning of wisdom” "awe" "respect" "honour"

V3-4 (Cont.)God is Love

Rev 1:17 - John falls on his face as though deadDan 10:7-9 “I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the

vision; the men with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. “

V3-4Balance

drawing near to Godthe fear of the Lord

V5-6Ps 130:5-6 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. “Active waitinghopeful

V7-8Ps 130:7-8 “O Israel, put your hope in the

Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.” Encourages the whole country to put their

hope in GodRedemption - someone buying freedom for a

slave

Sin, Guilt & ConscienceKeep short accounts with God

be quick to confess our sinDistinction

GuiltGuilty feelings

Consciencealerts us to our wrongdoing

Sin, Guilt & Conscience (Cont.)We should listen to our conscienceit can be damaged

Searedrepeated exposure to sin

False Guilt1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is

faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Eph 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”

Hold up a sign in your mind

"He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins“

The entire nation!Dan 9:17-19 "Now, our God, hear the prayers and

petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favour on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."

Our CountryQuestion: Do we ever think about our

country?

1 Tim 2:1-3 “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.“

Our Country (Cont.)We should pray for

our Queenour countryour leadersthe people of our land