John Calvin Commentary Psalms 130:1

"Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Jehovah." — Psalms 130:1 (ASV)

Out of the deep places have I cried to you, O Jehovah! It should be noted that the Prophet speaks of himself as sending forth his voice, as if from a deep gulf, feeling overwhelmed by calamities. Since miseries with no foreseeable end commonly bring despair in their wake, nothing is more difficult for people, when involved in grievous and deep sorrow, than to rouse their minds to prayer.

And it is remarkable that while we enjoy peace and prosperity, we are cold in prayer, because then our hearts are in a state of infatuated security, how in adversities, which ought to awaken us, we are even more stupefied. But the Prophet derives confidence in coming to the throne of grace from the very troubles, cares, dangers and sorrow into which he was plunged.

He expresses his perplexity and the earnestness of his desire both by the word 'cry' and by the repetition found in the second verse. Therefore, the barbarous ignorance of the Papists is all the more detestable, as they shamefully profane this Psalm by twisting it to a purpose entirely foreign to its true meaning.

For what purpose do they mumble it for the dead, if not because Satan has bewitched them, so that through their profanity they might extinguish a doctrine of unique usefulness? Since this Psalm was applied to the souls of the dead through a forced interpretation, it is widely believed to be of no use whatsoever to the living, and thus the world has lost an invaluable treasure.