Such are the two great realities of Psalm 130: suffering is real, God is real. Suffering is a mark of our existential authenticity; God is proof of our essential and external humanity. We accept suffering; we believe in God.

…But there is more than a description of reality here; there is a procedure for participating in it. …The words [wait and hope] are at the center of the psalm. “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…”

The words wait and hope are connected with the image of the watchmen waiting through the night for the dawn. The connection provides important insights for the person in trouble who asks, “But surely, there is something for me to do!” The answer is yes, there is something for you to do, or more exactly there is someone you can be; be a watchman.”

from A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

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Gender-inclusive version:

Such are the two great realities of Psalm 130: suffering is real, God is real. Suffering is a mark of our existential authenticity; God is proof of our essential and external humanity. We accept suffering; we believe in God.

…But there is more than a description of reality here; there is a procedure for participating in it. …The words [wait and hope] are at the center of the psalm. “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in the Lord’s word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchpersons for the morning…”

The words wait and hope are connected with the image of the watchpersons waiting through the night for the dawn. The connection provides important insights for the person in trouble who asks, “But surely, there is something for me to do!” The answer is yes, there is something for you to do, or more exactly there is someone you can be; be a watchperson.”

from A Long Obedience in the Same Direction