Psalm 130:4--A Reaction to Forgiveness

(Check the end of the article for a YouTube video of this post.)

Psalm 130:4 reads, "But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be presumed upon."

If that doesn't quite sound right, it's because it isn't. That's just the way most people want to interpret it. I've had people tell me, "I know that what I'm doing is a sin, but God will forgive me." Indeed, God will forgive any sin that is repented of (Luke 13:3), but "repentance" means, as much as in us is, cessation of sin. To say that "God will forgive, so I can continue in my sin" is...presuming on the forgiveness and grace of God. "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1-2). Christians died to sin; that means, to the best of their ability, they stop doing it as a way of life. The continual, habitual, rebellious committing of sin is NOT repentance, and it is a presumption upon the grace of God. And "if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10:26).

Psalm 130:4 actually says, "But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." Forgiveness should produce an appreciation for God, a respect, reverence, and obedience--not a presumption upon His grace and goodness. And that "fearing" of God will result in uncompromising obedience. Indeed, "Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).