Psalm 130:7,8
In verse three of Psalm 130 the psalmist had stated that he whose sins are marked cannot stand. It simply is a hopeless case, because sin is rebellion against God, Who is almighty and everywhere present. But we must note the fact that the psalmist speaks in Psalm 130:7, 8 of a plenteous redemption, and a redemption from all our iniquities. His words are these: "Let Israel hope in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.''
Now our word redeem means to buy back, and surely by the cross of Christ our salvation was purchased; but the word the psalmist uses means to set free to set loose from sin. And we do well to remember today and every day that we must also be set free from the love of sin, and from the power of sin wherein Satan holds us. A full salvation is much more than saving us from our guilt and punishment which we deserve. The "plenteous redemption'' which Jesus bought for us by His blood includes being set free from our love of sin, our sinful thoughts and desires, and includes a removal of all acts of sin in the new Jerusalem.
Listen to the versification as it sings (PRC Psalter):
O Israel, hope thou in the Lord,
His mercy will thy faith reward.
He full redemption will accord
From all thy sins.
Did you notice here mentioning of a full redemption from all sin? The idea is redemption from sin from every possible point of view. From it all we must be and will be freed.
Give this truth some serious consideration. God's mercy will realize such full redemption in the day of Christ. There we shall not be able to sin any more. But we must also hope, that is, expect that in this life such deliverance begins, and the rest of our pilgrimage here below must more and more reveal deliverance from the love and power of sin. Pray for it, and in His mercy He will reward us with a full and blessed removal of both our guilt and sinful walk of life. He will deliver us from out of the depths into heavenly, spiritual heights.
Read: Psalm 103
Psalter versification: #364:4
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
I Samuel 5
I Samuel 6
I Samuel 7
John 6:1-21
Psalm 106:13-31
Proverbs 14:32-33
Quote for Reflection:
"Since no one else can always be with us, wholly enter into our sorrow, fully understand and comfort us with infinite love, therefore is the Holy Spirit the Comforter. He abides with us forever, enters the deep places of our souls, listens to every throb of the heart, is able to relieve us of all our cares, takes all our troubles upon Himself, and by His tender and divinely loving words and sweet communion raises us out of our comfortless condition." -- Abraham Kuyper
Additional Info
- Date: 9-May
Heys, John A.
Rev. John A. Heys was born on March 16, 1910 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained and installed into the ministry at Hope, Walker, MI in 1941. He later served at Hull, Iowa beginning in 1955. In 1959 he accepted the call to serve the South Holland, IL Protestant Reformed Church. He received and accepted the call to Holland, Michigan Protestant Reformed Church in 1967. He retired from the active ministry in 1980. He entered into glory on February 16, 1998.