O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just offer hope; it frames God's love and redemption as an inexhaustible source, urging Israel to tap into it not just for one specific deliverance, but because with God, there's always enough mercy and redemption, abundant beyond measure. This isn't a conditional offer, but a declaration of God's overflowing nature, ready for all who hope in Him.
O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist, speaking from a place of deep distress and confession, has cried out to God from the depths, acknowledging sin and seeking mercy. Now, he turns to address the entire nation of Israel, urging them to place their hope in the Lord. This exhortation is rooted in the assurance that God's character is defined by steadfast love and that He offers abundant, complete redemption for all who turn to Him.
When life feels like a deep, dark well, where do you find the strength to hope? This verse isn't just a passive wish; it's an active command.
The Psalmist calls out to "Israel" – God's people, and by extension, all who call on Him. This isn't a gentle suggestion but a strong exhortation: "Hope in the LORD!" This command comes after a confession of sin and a cry from the "depths" (verse 1). It reminds us that hope isn't dependent on our circumstances being good. True hope is an intentional act of trust, a deliberate turning towards God even when we feel lost, overwhelmed, or repentant. It’s a choice to believe God's character and promises over our present feelings or situation.
What fuels our hope when everything else seems to fail? This verse points to an inexhaustible divine resource.
The reason given for this bold hope is rooted in God's very nature: "For with the LORD there is steadfast love." This isn't just a fleeting emotion; it's a deep, unwavering commitment, a covenant faithfulness that undergirds everything God does. It’s the kind of love that doesn't give up on us, even when we mess up. This love is the secure foundation for our hope. It means God’s heart is towards us, always seeking our good and working for our restoration, no matter what we've done or where we find ourselves.
When we think about being rescued or set free, do we limit God's power? This verse reveals redemption that's more than enough.
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The second reason for hope is equally powerful: "and with him is plentiful redemption." This isn't just a little bit of saving; it's abundant, overflowing, more than sufficient! This redemption speaks to God's ability and willingness to deliver us completely – not just from the consequences of our sins, but from the power and presence of sin itself. It points to the ultimate redemption accomplished through Jesus Christ, a redemption that is available to all who hope in Him. It assures us that no situation is too difficult, no sin too great, for God's redemptive power to overcome.
Understand the original words
Yisra'el · Hebrew Proper Noun
A corporate name for God’s chosen people, denoting those who are in covenant relationship with Him and subject to His promises.
yachal · Hebrew Verb
Confident expectation or trust based on God’s character and promises. It is an active posture of the heart that does not rely on human circumstances.
chesed · Hebrew Noun
God’s covenant-keeping, loyal, and sacrificial love. It refers to His unmerited kindness and faithfulness toward His people despite their unworthiness.
peduth · Hebrew Noun
The act of purchasing someone out of slavery or debt. In a theological sense, it refers to God paying the price to liberate His people from the power and penalty of sin.
avon · Hebrew Noun
Acts of moral wrongdoing, rebellion, or perversion of the law. It carries the weight of guilt and the consequence of separating the sinner from a holy God.
Psalm 130, a song of lament and hope, likely emerged during or shortly after the Babylonian exile. The call for Israel to 'hope in the LORD' and find 'plenteous redemption' speaks powerfully to a people grappling with profound loss, national devastation, and the deep need for God's unwavering mercy and abundant salvation.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar II, conquer Jerusalem, destroy Solomon's Temple, and exile a significant portion of the population. This marks a period of intense national crisis and spiritual desolation for Israel.
c. 586 BC - 538 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Jewish people live in exile in Babylon, stripped of their land, their king, and their central place of worship. This period is characterized by deep sorrow, questioning of God's faithfulness, and a yearning for deliverance.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest of Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, ushering in a new era. This event paves the way for the exiled Jews to return to their homeland.
538 BC onwards
Return from Exile
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. While a moment of immense hope, the return is met with challenges and rebuilding efforts are arduous.
This passage directly echoes the call to hope and emphasizes God's abundant readiness to forgive and redeem, reinforcing the theme of God's plentiful mercy and redemption found in Psalm 130:7.
Romans 11:26This verse speaks of God's promise to redeem Israel from sin, directly connecting to the idea of 'plenteous redemption' and God's faithfulness to His people that is central to Psalm 130:7.
Titus 2:14This verse highlights Jesus's role in redeeming people for himself, presenting Him as the source of the 'plenteous redemption' that Psalm 130:7 speaks of God possessing.
Micah 7:18This prophetic passage declares God's characteristic delight in mercy and forgiveness, aligning perfectly with the Psalmist's affirmation that God possesses 'steadfast love' and 'plenteous redemption'.
pulpitPsalms 130:7: "Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption."
Verse 7. - Let Israel hope in the Lord; or, "O Israel, hope in the Lord;" i.e. continue to hope, even though in the "depths" of calamity (see ver. 1). For with the Lord there is mercy (see above, ver. 4, and the comment ad loc). And with him is plenteous redemption (comp. Psalm 111:9). Enough and to spare for all (see Isaiah 55:1).
clarkePsalms 130:7: "Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption."
Let Israel hope in the Lord - This, to hope for salvation, is their duty and their interest. But what reason is there for this hope? A twofold reason: - 1. With the Lord there is mercy - החסד hachesed, That mercy, the fund, the essence of mercy. 2. And with him is plenteous redemption - והרבה עמו פדות veharabbah immo peduth; and that abundant redemption, that to which there is…
The verse doesn't just offer hope; it frames God's love and redemption as an inexhaustible source, urging Israel to tap into it not just for one specific deliverance, but because with God, there's always enough mercy and redemption, abundant beyond measure. This isn't a conditional offer, but a declaration of God's overflowing nature, ready for all who hope in Him.
The Psalmist, speaking from a place of deep distress and confession, has cried out to God from the depths, acknowledging sin and seeking mercy. Now, he turns to address the entire nation of Israel, urging them to place their hope in the Lord. This exhortation is rooted in the assurance that God's character is defined by steadfast love and that He offers abundant, complete redemption for all who turn to Him.
The Psalmist, speaking from a place of deep distress and confession, has cried out to God from the depths, acknowledging sin and seeking mercy. Now, he turns to address the entire nation of Israel, urging them to place their hope in the Lord. This exhortation is rooted in the assurance that God's character is defined by steadfast love and that He offers abundant, complete redemption for all who turn to Him.
"O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities." — The verse doesn't just offer hope; it frames God's love and redemption as an inexhaustible source, urging Israel to tap into it not just for one specific deliverance, but because with God, there's *a…
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Last reviewed October 2026