John Calvin Commentary Psalms 130:7

"O Israel, hope in Jehovah; For with Jehovah there is lovingkindness, And with him is plenteous redemption." — Psalms 130:7 (ASV)

But let Israel hope in Jehovah. After having spoken of himself, and presented in his own person an example for all to follow, he now applies the doctrine to the whole body of the Church. It should be noted that the foundation upon which he would have the hope of all the godly to rest is the mercy of God, the source from which redemption springs.

In the first clause he reminds them that although they bring with them no worth or merits of their own, it ought to be sufficient for them that God is merciful. This mutual relation between the faith of the Church and the free goodness of God should be carefully noted, so that we may know that all those who, relying on their own merits, persuade themselves that God will be their rewarder, do not have their hope regulated according to the rule of Scripture.

From this mercy, as from a fountain, the Prophet derives redemption, for there is no other cause that moves God to show Himself as the Redeemer of His people but His mercy. He describes this redemption as plenteous, so that the faithful, even when reduced to the utmost distress, may sustain themselves by considering that in God's hand are many and incredible means by which to save them.

This Psalm may have been composed at a time when the Church was in such a very afflicted condition that it might have discouraged everyone, if the infinite greatness of God's power had not served as a shield to defend them.

The true application of this doctrine is:

1. That the faithful, even when plunged into the deepest abysses, should not doubt that their deliverance is in God's hand, who, whenever necessity requires, will be able to find means that are now hidden and unknown to us.
2. That they should be certain that as often as the Church is afflicted, He will show Himself to be her deliverer.

The sentence immediately following refers to this truth.