PSALM 130

During the winter months, there is a Jewish tradition of studying a special set of psalms  - "tehilim" - on Shabbat afternoons. These psalms, #120-#134, are known as the Shir HaMaalot/Songs of Ascent psalms, as that is the first phrase in each psalm.  Each week, one of these psalms will be presented here.  We have so far covered Psalm 104, the Psalm for the New Month, and Psalms 120-129. This week, we look at Psalm 130, which we can find on page 450 of our Siddur Lev Shalem and in Sefaria at https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.129.2?lang=bi.

Psalm 130 is a regular part of our High Holidays liturgy.  The Sephardic tradition recites it at the end of the selichot prayers throughout the month of Elul, and then onwards to Yom Kippur.  Ashkenazim subsequently adopted it for recitation after “Yishtabach” during the 10 days starting with Rosh Hashanah.  Because of this usage, many commentaries have been written about the psalm, but I will just give you three points for now.  First, it is part of the songs of ascent, to be recited as we climb the 15 or so stairs from the Women’s landing to the main level at the Temple in Jerusalem (or perhaps recited by a Levite standing on each step, or both), but the opening passage suggests just the opposite: “From the depths I call out to you, O Lord.”

Second, the psalm is eight verses long.  In the first four verses, G-d is addressed in the second person, “you”, while the last four verses use the third person, “he”.  In the first half of the psalm, we call out to G-d, and in the second half we talk about G-d.

Third, at least once, the psalm uses the short form of the divine name “Yah”.  This is done in limited places in the Tanach, including Isaiah (12:2, 26:4) and the Song of the Sea (Exodus 15:1-18).  Different versions of G-d’s name, both direct and metaphorical, mean different things in biblical text, and the use of this single, guttural syllable reflects a very strong emotional outburst; it can reflect things as different as rage (at the evils threatening the Jewish people) and celebration (in G-d’s power to destroy those evils).

You can spend hours talking about this psalm.  Here are a couple of shiurim I found worthwhile: https://thinkingtorah.com/psalm-130-out-of-the-depths/ and https://www.etzion.org.il/en/holidays/yom-kippur/%E2%80%9D-depths-i-call-you%E2%80%9D-psalm-130. Do some studying when you can.

Psalm 130

From the depths, I call to You, Adoshem;

Adoshem hear my voice, be attentive to my pleas.

Adoshem, if you keep watch of the record of sins, who will survive?

But forgiveness is yours; for this, you are revered.

I place my hope in Adoshem, my whole being hopes; I await G-d’s word.  I wait for Adoshem more than the morning watchmen watch for the dawn.

O Israel, wait for Adoshem, for kindly love is Adoshem’s and great redemptive power; G-d will redeem Israel from all their sins.