Expectant Hope for the Lord

The Psalm transitions then to an acknowledgment of God’s mercy. (v. 4)

Advent 2021: Message One

ETS: The Psalmist expectantly hoped in the Lord.

ESS: We should hope in the Lord.

OSS: [MO: Devotional] {SO: I want the hearers to renew their trust and hope in God.}

PQ: What sequential transitions can be noticed throughout this Psalm?

UW: Transitions

Intro.: This Psalm is typically classified as a Psalm of Lament over sin. However, the deep root of the Psalm is the hope that the Psalmist has in God. Though the Psalm begins with a cry from the deepest part of the Psalmist’s heart, it transitions throughout to become a declaration of and a call to trust in the Lord.

TS: Let us examine together a few of the important transitions in the Psalm.

The Psalm begins with a cry for mercy. (vv. 1-3)

Read into the tone of the Psalmist as you notice the great anguish he seems to be in: from the depths I call to you; listen to me; be attentive to my cry for help; the weight of sin is so much that none could stand it if a record were kept.

His cry for mercy was simply this: Lord, hear me.

APPLICATION: We need to cry out in anguish to the Lord: God, hear us. With brokenness over sin, let us seek the Lord.

The Psalm transitions then to an acknowledgment of God’s mercy. (v. 4)

“But with you”- These are beautiful words. Though our sin is great, God’s grace is greater (Rom. 5:20)

The goal of God’s forgiveness is not for us to puff ourselves up or boast in our liberty. The goal is that people might fear and revere God!

APPLICATION: God is merciful! Let us make it known to the world that God extended mercy to all who would accept it. He worthy of reverence.

The Psalm transitions then to a declaration of trust and hope in the Lord. (vv. 5-6)

The two Hebrew words used in this verse translated as “wait” are the two most common Hebrew words translated as hope. The idea is waiting on something. However, it isn’t a simple waiting. It is an expectant waiting- knowing something will happen. One person illustrated it by demonstrating a cord being pulled tight. You know that as the cord is continually pulled tight, at some point it will break. The tension of the cord being pulled tight while waiting for it to break is similar to the waiting on the Lord, the hoping in Him.

Thus, the Psalmist hope and trust in the Lord- both in His presence and in His Word (promise). He knew the Lord was coming.

APPLICATION: We need to declare our hope in the Lord’s coming because the Bible is clear that He is coming. This, for believers, is truly a matter to hope in. Let us wait expectantly, declaring our hope in the Lord.

The Psalm ends with a call for Israel to trust and hope in the Lord. (vv. 7-8)

Since the Lord is worthy of trust and His promise is true, the Psalmist called for Israel to hope in the Lord also.

Notice, the Psalmist outlined specifically that there is faithful love and abundant redemption in The Lord; furthermore, the Psalmist spoke confidently that the Lord would redeem Israel.

Because of the Psalmist’s hope, he calls others to hope in the Lord, knowing that He is worthy of our trust.

APPLICATION: We should not only hope ourselves, but we should call on others to place the hope and trust in the Lord as well!

CONCLUSION:

The Psalmist lamented his sin acknowledging its great weight (vv. 1-3). Yet, he hoped with tense, expectant hope in the Lord’s ability to forgive and redeem- ultimately being revealed through the promised Messiah later. We know that Israel found redemption when Jesus came, and since then, redemption has been offered to all who would hope in the Lord, who would believe in Him, who would celebrate and worship Him. The Psalmist eagerly awaited the Lord’s coming. Do we?

Advent means, “arrival” specifically referring to someone of noble character and reputation. At the time of writing, Israel and the Psalmist were awaiting the arrival of their King who would redeem and forgive them. We know that He has appeared once, but the Bible says He is coming again. Do we hope in His return? We will study more on this next week.