Psalm 130:5-7 says:
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.”
On a sunny morning, not long ago, I stepped out for a walk. When I turned east towards the sunrise, I remember thinking, “The morning always comes.” I had just read Psalm 130, “. . . my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.”
Whenever Scripture repeats itself, I pay attention. What does it mean to wait for something more than the morning? That’s when I thought, “The watchmen are waiting for something they know is going to happen.” The morning always comes. Has the dawn ever been delayed? Has the sunrise ever been late? No, it comes every day, bright and eager for a new day just like God is ready and eager to give fresh grace. His coming is as sure as the dawn (Hos. 6:3).
When we’re in seasons of waiting, we don’t always know what we are waiting for. This can cause fear, uncertainty, or even doubt. But this passage helps us by telling us what to focus on in seasons of waiting. The verses before and after frame what we should focus on—finding hope in God’s Word and God’s character.
When we are told to wait on the Lord, which appears often in the Bible, we can know that our waiting is never in vain (Isa. 40:31). The Bible says God is doing a work in the waiting that we can’t see. That’s why Paul says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Rom. 8:25). So, to wait with hope, we remember God’s Word and God’s character.
Remember God’s Word
Coming to God’s Word day after day will sustain us in seasons of waiting. It’s the guide by which we walk and the foundation on which we stand (Ps. 119:105). Jesus said we are to live “on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). It’s sustenance for our soul. By faithfully reading the Bible, we can renew our hope. Through the Holy Spirit, God will give what we need each day to sustain us (2 Cor. 12:9). Don’t neglect to open your Bible every day, especially in seasons of waiting. In it are found the words of life and everything we need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3).
Remember God’s Character
Immediately after being exhorted to wait on the Lord like the watchmen, the psalmist turns to who God is. In verse 7 it says that with him is steadfast love and plentiful redemption. It’s like the psalmist is saying, “Look at how boundless God is! He doesn’t run out of love or redemption.” He loves you and has free salvation to offer; you only need to turn to him in humility and receive this free gift (Eph. 2:8-9). We can never make God give too much of himself when we ask for his help (James 4:6).
Psalm 42:5 helps us remember who God is:
“Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.”
My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you.”
By remembering who God is, we can turn our hearts to praise him, even in seasons of waiting.
Maybe you need to remember God again in your season of waiting. He hasn’t moved away or left you alone, he is there ready to give fresh grace and mercy (Heb. 4:16).
Wait on the Lord
We are told to wait on the Lord with more confidence than the sunrise. Just as the morning always comes to the watchmen, so hope will come to those who wait trusting in the Word and character of God.
Where do you find yourself waiting? Have you been waiting so long that you are beginning to doubt? Put your hope in God. His love is sure and his mercy is great. Look to the east and watch for the morning sun . . . and remind yourself that the morning will always come.
Psalm 27:14 reminds us:
“Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!”
