This is one of the church's penitential Psalms, and it is one of the songs of Ascent in the Psalter. It is Israel's confession of sin as the community approaches the temple to receive the priestly blessing based on God's forgiveness and mercy/grace/love (hesed). Out of the depths, Israel cries for mercy and waits for the morning to dawn in God's gracious forgiveness.

This is a prayer for everyone: confession, hope, and forgiveness. Our God is not one who watches us like a hawk for every little slip. Rather, our God is one who forgives and loves with mercy to rescue (redeem) us so that we might live in grateful awe of what the Lord has done for us.