As a sequel to my recent discussion of Psalm 130, here is series of Lenten Litanies I wrote for the section of our service we call “We Are Renewed in God’s Grace,” which typically consists of a confession, assurance of pardon, and (if neither of those was a song) a song of response. Last Lent I put together a five-week series that used five different musical settings of Psalm 130—two from the gray Psalter Hymnal, which we then had in our pews, and three from Psalms for All Seasons.

The first week, we read the entire Psalm 130 responsively using a standard translation (TNIV) as the confession. The second week, we read a paraphrase (Eugene Peterson’s The Message) of Psalm 130 responsively as the confession. After that I assumed the congregation was familiar with the text and used hymns for the week 3 and 4 confessions and a prayer based on the psalm for week 5. The songs also moved from close versifications to looser ones.

If we used this series again, I would reconsider the songs—with “Out of the Depths I Cry, Lord” (PH87 #130) as the most likely to be dropped  and “In Deep Despair I Cry to You” (PFAS #130E) or “Out of the Depths I Cry to You” (PFAS #130D) as the likely replacement.

Week 1

Confession: Responsive reading of Psalm 130 (TNIV)

Assurance of Pardon: O God, you come to us in the depths of our darkest despair through the suffering of Jesus Christ. By the rising your Son, you give us new light to guide us that we may always praise your holy name, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Song of Response: “Out of the Depths I Cry, Lord” (PH87 #130)

[The assurance of pardon text is an altered version of the Psalm 130 collect in the Book of Common Worship: Common Prayer.]

Week 2

Confession: Responsive reading of Psalm 130 (The Message) (“Help, God—the bottom has fallen out of my life!”)

Assurance of Pardon: People of God, wait and watch for God. By the sacrifice of his Son, He shows us love, buys us from captivity to sin, and grants us life forevermore. Amen.

Song of Response: “Out of the Depths I Cry to You on High” (PFAS #130C/LUYH #655/PH87 #256/PH57 #273).

Week 3

Confession: “From the Depths of Sin and Sadness” (PFAS #130F)

Assurance of Pardon:  When we realize the depth of our sin, O God, we are driven into dark despair. It is only when we realize the height of your mercy and the breadth of your forgiveness, that we begin to see the dawning of new life in Jesus Christ. Thanks be to you, O Lord our Redeemer. Amen.

[The assurance of pardon text is the Psalm 130 collect in Lift Up Your Hearts.]

Week 4

Confession: “Out of the Depths I Cry to You” (PFAS #130A/HFW #10) (Luther’s version)

Assurance of Pardon: People of God, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem his people from all their sins. Amen.

Week 5

Confession/Assurance: “A Prayer of Hope” (PFAS #130H)

Song of Response: “For You, My God, I Wait” (PFAS #130G)