Psalms 130:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A cry of distress rising from spiritual desolation to God.
The Context of Psalms 130:1
The psalmist speaks from profound spiritual despair.
What Does Psalms 130:1 Mean?
This psalm begins with a cry from 'the depths'—a place of spiritual and emotional darkness. The Hebrew metaphor of depth suggests being overwhelmed, trapped, or lost. The psalmist's first act is to direct that cry upward, to the Lord, acknowledging that God alone can hear from such despair.
This opening establishes the psalm's central movement: movement from darkness toward light, from silence toward being heard. The cry is not suppressed or concealed but voiced directly to the Lord, trusting that even in the deepest place, God's attention can reach.
Psalms 130:1 in the Original Language
metzulot (מְצוּלוֹת), 'depths' — the deepest or most overwhelming circumstances; literally the depths of water, used metaphorically for spiritual extremity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 130:1
What does Psalms 130:1 mean?
A cry of distress rising from spiritual desolation to God.
What is the context of Psalms 130:1?
The psalmist speaks from profound spiritual despair.