The Importance of Being Like a Watchman Waiting for the Dawn to Break
Insight from Psalm 130.
Our Preaching Team has been going through a few of the Psalms. The passage I’ve been given this week is Psalm 130. Many translations title it “A Song of Ascents“. Take a moment to read through the verses below.
“1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; 2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.” (Ps. 130)
A number of questions come up within this Psalm.
For example, what happened to this author that led him to write this song? What was going on in his life? What sinful acts had he embraced to be brought into such a depth of despair?
However, the question that has plagued me more than any other is why the second part of verse six is repeated, “…more than watchmen wait for the morning…”.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary provides some valuable background.
“It is for the Lord that my soul waits, for the gifts of his grace, and the working of his power. We must hope for that only which he has promised in his word. Like those who wish to see the dawn, being very desirous that light would come long before day; but still more earnestly does a good man long for the tokens of God’s favour, and the visits of his grace. Let all that devote themselves to the Lord, cheerfully stay themselves on him. This redemption is redemption from all sin.” (Matthew Henry, Psalm 130)
It’s so interesting to me that the Psalmist chooses to liken a watchman to his waiting on the Lord. The watchman holds huge responsibility that when everyone sleeps, he is in charge of reporting dangers that may be approaching. Whether thieves, storms or invading enemies; he must be steadfast in his watch.
Then at dawn, as the sun breaks the horizon. The watchman breathes a sigh of relief as his time for rest has arrived.
Our waiting on the Lord should mirror this concept.
It validates that in this life there are thieves, storms and invading enemies that wish to break down everything we cherish. As we walk through this life, we should remain as the watchman; attentive and steadfast to our place with Christ.
We should be resisting our sinful desires that would break down the walls of everything we have committed to uphold and protect. Our time of rest will soon be here. The dawn will soon break!
Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts
- In your life, do you ever feel like a watchman waiting for dawn to break?
- How are you living in waiting for the Lord’s return?
- What does a modern watchman look like, act like, and speak like?
I think we often forget any sin affects our relationship with God. I think the writer really gets it.
Thanks for your comment Valerie (Mom). You are entirely correct that every bit of sin slowly distances us from our Creator. Thanks for supporting this ‘writer’.
Hi, I read Psalm 130 this morning while spending time with God and went searching for the importance of having a watchman. (since we don’t have them in the same way this day and age) I know you wrote this some time ago but I enjoyed your thoughts about the watchman waiting for the morning. A great reminder for me to keep waiting with excitement for God. Just as a watchmen might give a sigh of peace once the dawn comes, I can just imagine that same peace for us when Christ comes back. It’s very inspiring!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts on Psalm 130. The watchman portion is my favourite piece in that passage. It’s exciting when my writing/blog touches other Believers and gives them the encouragement they need for a particular day. It’s really why I write! Thank you for the support!