שִׁבּׂלֶת חִטִּים אוֹמֶרֶת - Sheaf of Wheat Says
Tehillim 130:1
שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת מִמַּעֲמַקִּים קְרָאתִיךָ יְהוָה
shir hama'alot mima'amakim keraticha
A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths have I called You, Hashem.
To this very day, this particular psalm has been said by Jews in times of trouble. If they have time to say many, they will always include Tehillim 130; if they only have time to say one psalm, then, usually, it will be this one, for, it is one of the few that reach out from the “depths” of despair. One can feel King David's sense of utter helplessness, and his need for a miracle. This is why he has appealed to Hashem — using Four Letter Ineffable Name of G-d — and not a “lesser” Name of G-d. (Rabbi Pinchas Winston)
King David composed the present psalm about himself, but intended it for the future exiles. They should conduct themselves as he did and then G-d will have mercy upon them. King David's prayer for G-d to heed the prayers of the exiles and forgive their iniquities. That is, they should expect the deliverance to come by supernal loving-kindness, i.e. even though they will not deserve it.
Some say, "Out of the depths" - the lowest spiritual state - "have I called You." For a man may be at he height of material success, yet be in the most debased condition in matters of the soul. (Me'am Lo'ez)
Every Jew has a spark of holiness in his heart but it may be surrounded by layers of materialism. When he recognizes this spark, even though it is buried, then he will be able to call G-d 'from the depths' of his heart. This is what is meant by the verse "Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water but a man of understanding will draw it out" (Mishlei 20:5). In every heart lies a spiritual capacity, but only a 'man of understanding' can reach in and 'draw it out', that is recognize and develope it. (Rabbi Simcha Zissel Ziv)
