With God There Is Mercy and Fullness of Redemption

With God There Is Mercy
and Fullness of Redemption

Psalm 130 is one of six traditionally penitential psalms. It is not often that we pray a psalm in its entirety, but we do with Psalm 130. Following the story of Adam and Eve being caught in their sin, the psalm reminds us that this is not the end of the story. God promises mercy and redemption. In this psalm we plea for mercy and then proclaim God’s loving kindness. As an assembly we admit that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness. To forgive is godlike. As we sing, pray or reflect on these verses, let us open ourselves to hearing God asking us to trust in the promise of unwavering mercy.

From the depths I call to you, O God, hear my cry.
Catch the sound of my voice raised up, pleading.
If you record our sins, O God, who could survive?
But because you forgive we stand in awe.

I trust in God’s word, I trust in the Holy One.
More than sentries wait for dawn
I watch for the Almighty.
More than sentries for dawn let Israel hope in you!

For with you there is love,
and fullness of redemption.
And you will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
[verses adapted from The Psalter © 1995, Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications.]