Encouraged by the Word

Below is Psalm 130, followed by an old hymn by Martin Luther based off of this psalm. The word of God is truly living and active, and able to pierce the heart! I've been thinking about my standing before the Lord lately, and have become even more completely aware of my unrighteousness before a Holy King. Verse three of Psalm 130 echoes in my heart tonight..."If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?" If God kept a record of my sin I fear it would stretch farther than the east is from the west--but I praise Him that it is His LOVE, GRACE and MERCY that extend farther than my sin ever could. And it is only because of His unconditional love, amazing grace, and abounding mercy that I can stand before Him, and boldly approach His throne of Grace. How sweet it is, to be loved by God, and covered by the blood of His son!

Psalm 130
A song of ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

2 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.

6 My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.

8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

From the Depths of Woe

From the depths of woe I raise to thee, the voice of lamentation.
Lord turn a gracious ear to me and hear my supplication.
If Thou iniquities dost mark, our secret sins and misdeeds dark,
O, who shall stand before Thee?
O, who shall stand before Thee?

To wash away the crimson stain, grace, grace alone availeth.
Our works, alas! are all in vain; in much the best life faileth.
No man can glory in Thy sight, all must alike confess Thy might,
and live alone by mercy.
And live alone by mercy.

Therefore my trust is in the Lord, and not in mine own merit;
On Him my soul shall rest, His word upholds my fainting spirit;
His promised mercy is my fort, my comfort and my sweet support;
I wait for it with patience.
I wait for it with patience.

What though I wait the live-long night, and 'til the dawn appeareth,
My heart still trusteth in His might; it doubteth not nor feareth.
Do thus, O ye of Israel's seed, ye of the Spirit born indeed;
And wait 'til God appeareth.
And wait 'til God appeareth.

Though great our sins and sore our woes, His grace much more aboundeth;
His helping love no limit knows, our upmost need it soundeth.
Our Shepherd good and true is He, Who will at last His Israel free
From all their sin and sorrow.
From all their sin and sorrow.