“Psalm 130: Redemption”
Original sermon given on March 19, 2025 written and delivered by Pastor Jeff Leininger at First Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church from his Lenten Series: “From Repentance to Rejoicing”
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“Psalm 130:Redemption”
Psalm 130
In the name of the Living God and the Crucified Christ. Amen.
When you’re at your lowest, when the darkness is too deep, when the walls of sin and separation seem insurmountable, where do you turn? Psalm 130 has for millennia been the single song that cries out from the deepest depths. Its first two words in Latin — De Profundis (from the depths) — have entitled myriads of musical settings over the centuries.
Because Psalm 130 begins at the lowest of the low, it should be no surprise, then, that the lowest note sung from the lowest choral piece ever written is from a setting of this Penitential Psalm. In 2012 Welsh composer Paul Mealor had the bass soloist in his new composition sing a double-low E, which is two octaves below middle C (Dr. Wente, can you demonstrate? Apparently, that’s 329 Herts if you’re keeping score at home). This was a full six notes below the lowest note previously written in a choral work, which was by Rachmaninov.[1]
So, where did this Welsh composer turn to recruit such a De Profundis soloist to sing such a low note? How about from his own countrymen, the Welsh, who are known throughout the world for their male choirs? Or perhaps from the Russians, whose “Basso Profondos” typically sing a whole octave below the normal bass part?
In fact, while the St. Petersburg Chamber Choir served as the choir, for the soloist Mealor turned to an American Christian gospel singer, Tim Storms from Kentucky. So, a Welsh piece sung by a Russian Choir employing American soloist was required to capture the essence of “out of the depths. And as such, it captures the essence of faith: no matter how low you go, God will still hear.
The theme for this week’s Penitential Psalm is “Redemption”, from verses 7 and 8: “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” (Psalm 130.7-8). I gave you a musical illustration of the depths from which the Psalmist cries so that you can understand the heights of the redemption which the only the Lord gives.
“Redemption” is a church-y word we use so much that can lose its meaning. The root definition of “redemption” is to buy back or to pay for someone’s freedom. It can be a price given for someone’s iniquities or an exchange paid on your behalf. How great the redemption in Psalm 130. The Psalmist from the depths cannot climb his way out or pay his own way. He cannot muster the strength in himself or “meet God halfway.” Rather, he can only call out for mercy. He can only hope that the One before whom no man can stand will be the One of forgiveness and steadfast love. His depths of sin are so low that he needs God Himself to pay the price.
We know this great mercy to those in the greatest depths of sin was given in Jesus, our savior and redeemer (our “buy-backer”). To use Martin Luther’s beautiful phrase in the catechism: “He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with his holy precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death…”
How low have you gone? From what depths does your cry for mercy arise? The cross of Jesus, his blood given in exchange for you and me, drips down to the lowest of the low (below 329 hertz). He, the full final sacrifice was given for our redemption. God himself has bought us back from the depths of sin, death, and the devil. Cry out only to him. Lift up your voice to his ears alone. He will hear, forgive, redeem, lift up, set free.
When Martin Luther was once asked which were the best Psalms, he replied Psalmi Paulini, the Psalms of St. Paul. (A strange response, indeed.) But when pressed by his companions over a pint, Psalm 130 made the top list.[2] It’s a Psalm of St. Paul and of Martin Luther and of Jeff Leininger, and I hope for you tonight too, for it reminds us that none of us can pull ourselves out of the depths; all of us live solely by faith in Christ, redeemer; we can only hope in him hearing our cry; and it is precisely at the greatest depths where the surest hope is to be found.
Come soon Lord Jesus. Amen.
[1] Australian Broadcast Network Radio, www.abc.net.au/listen/radionational/archived/rhythmdivine/the-low-note/4198012
[2] Keil/ Delitzsch, Old Testament Commentaries, Vol. IV, 273