Psalm 130:3-4 Now Available feat. Aaron Strumpel
Psalm 130:3-4 is now available on all streaming platforms!
THE VERSE
If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
Psalm 130:3 begins with the word “if” and Psalm 130:4 with the word “but.” If and But - two short words that somehow summarize the entire Christian message. Let me explain.
Verse three begins with a major dilemma. If Yahweh, the Perfect One, should mark our iniquities (picture an experienced judge keeping score with a book open and a pen out), the truth is every human on planet Earth would be in trouble. Why? Because of their iniquities. What’s an iniquity? The Hebrew word for iniquity is Avon, conveying this idea of a crooked or bent state from the original way it was intended. If every person were to walk before this judge, all would receive the scores of “bent” and “twisted,” none straight. Paul restates this idea in Romans 3:23 when he said, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” To reiterate the question the psalmist asks in verse 3, who could stand? No one, because everyone’s book is riddled with iniquities. That’s the bad news.
This is unbelievably good news! With God there is pardon, hope, and cleansing.
Verse four interrupts the bad news with a startling message of forgiveness. We’d expect this judge to slam down his gavel while pronouncing our guilt! Instead he lays down his hammer and walks toward us a loving Savior with a handwritten letter of pardon in hand, signed in his own blood. “But with you there is forgiveness.” This is unbelievably good news! With God there is pardon, hope, and cleansing. Just as Paul highlighted our sin earlier, later in Romans 8:1 he declares this to be true: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Who are those in Christ Jesus? Those who’ve put their faith in Jesus and his work for them, not their works done for him. We are with and in Jesus.
Fear of God in the Old Testament describes a life marked by reverence, wonder, and obedience of God!
So what’s our response? Psalm 130:4 tells us the trajectory of forgiveness in our lives inevitably leads to fear. Remember that biblical fear is far different from how we might define it today… Fear of God in the Old Testament describes a life marked by reverence, wonder, and obedience of God! The verse reminds us that God’s forgiveness doesn’t create laziness or licentiousness, but rather births a godly fear in its recipients.
Friends, in this Advent season may we live with a godly fear and reverence both for the forgiveness that’s ours immediately but also the joy that is to come when Christ comes in glory.
The Song & The Artist
Written by Aaron Strumpel, Hannah Glavor, and Joel Limpic and sung by Aaron Strumpel as the second installment for our Advent 2022 release where we’ll be memorizing the entirety of Psalm 130. Aaron Strumpel answered some of our questions about this song and the project:
Was there anything that stood out to you about this verse as you worked on it?
I think the song actually feels congruent with the lyrics, which doesn’t always happen! The melodic arcs are consistent with what it is trying to say…
The first half of the song is contemplative and we stew in that for a while; it’s not necessarily hopeful because we’re contemplating the reality of justice and no immediate acknowledgement of grace. There’s a longing for right standing before God being expressed in the minor chords and the descent.
As we transition to the chorus, there is a true lift that happens. Hope is brought in melodically! We also incorporated various trumpet tracks on the song’s extended outro. It expresses a joyful response to the forgiveness of God but also a longing for His return.
Song Credits
Writing: Aaron Strumpel, Hannah Glavor, Joel Limpic
Lead Vocals: Aaron Strumpel
Backing Vocals: Hannah Glavor
Kick drum, sizzle cymbals, shaker, shines, tambourine rattles: Aaron Strumpel
Acoustic guitar + High strung acoustic: Joel Limpic
Felt piano, B3 organ, Juno, Church organ: Aaron Strumpel
Trumpets: Aaron Strumpel
Bass: Hannah Glavor
Engineering + Mix: Aaron Strumpel at Shovel Studio in Lafayette, CO
Mastering: Dave Wilton at Coalesce Audio in Lafayette, CO
You can find Aaron Strumpel on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/aaronstrumpel/) or http://aaronstrumpel.com .
You can find Hannah Glavor on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hannahtheglavor/).
You can find Joel Limpic on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/joellimpic/ ).
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