Please subscribe to view this contentStart Trial
an open book sitting on top of a table

Scripture Guide

Psalm 130

Keywords (10)
Updated
  • Feb 14, 2025

AIM Commentary

ANCIENT LENS

What’s the historical context?

Historical Background

The Songs of Ascents celebrate the journey from Babylonian captivity to freedom in the homeland of Judah, and ultimately celebration in the temple. Psalm 130 is not a traveling psalm as such, certainly very different in that respect from Psalm 126. Rather it is contemplative, generally identified as a psalm of trust.

That means that on the way home, these travelers meditate on God, which was most appropriate for this company of exiles released by Cyrus the Great’s decree (Ezra 1-2). Cyrus issued his decree in 538 BC, and we approximate the return date as 536 BC. The result of this movement was the rebuilding of the altar in Jerusalem (Ezra…

Subscriber Content

Get Full Access Today

Interested in viewing our resources? Try our 7-day free trial.