Rabbenu Yonah teaches that even if a person’s sins are many, they can still place their hope in Hashem’s salvation. When a person faces troubles and places their trust in Hashem’s mercy, Hashem shows compassion — not necessarily because of their merits, but because of their humility, reliance, and hope in Him.

The Midrash on Psalm 31 teaches a powerful lesson: even if a person is not righteous, one who trusts in Hashem is never without hope.

When the Jewish people enter the synagogue and cry out, “Redeem us, Hashem,” He asks them: “Are there any among you who truly fear Me?” They respond, “In the past there were the righteous—Moshe, Aharon, Saul, David, Solomon—but now, because of our sins, none remain. We are walking around in darkness, with no merits to rely upon.”

Even then, Hashem reassures them: “Trust in My Name; I am watching over you. Whoever trusts in Me, I will save.”

The message is clear: even if there are no apparent righteous ones left, even in a generation that feels meritless, placing trust in Hashem is never in vain. His protection and mercy extend to all who sincerely turn to Him, even the unworthy.

The Chofetz Chaim teaches a profound truth: no matter how unworthy a person feels, they can still place their hope in Hashem and merit His salvation.

Trust in Hashem — bitachon — does not depend on one’s merits. Even someone who feels distant or unworthy can protect themselves simply by strengthening their trust in Hashem. The very act of trusting becomes a shield, drawing down Hashem’s mercy.

The Vilna Gaon explains that bitachon has its own power, independent of deeds or righteousness. The Midrash echoes this idea, saying:
“Many are the troubles of the wicked, but one who trusts in Hashem, kindness will surround him.”

The Torah also teaches:
“The eye of Hashem is upon those who fear Him, upon those who hope for His kindness; to save their soul from death and to sustain them in famine.”
Notice the distinction: even those who are not yet fully God-fearing, but hope in Hashem’s kindness, are watched over and sustained.

This reminds us: hope and trust in Hashem are never closed off. No matter where we are spiritually, if we strengthen our bitachon, Hashem’s mercy can reach us, protect us, and sustain us even in the most difficult times.

—Kuntres Nefutzos Yisrael, Chapter 8

The Chofetz Chaim teaches that one should never despair of Hashem’s mercy, even if one feels unworthy because of sins. He explains that when Hashem desires to redeem, He does not look at a person’s deeds. He redeems Israel from all their sins regardless of their actions, as is brought in Shir HaShirim Rabbah on the verse, “Skipping over the mountains, leaping over the hills.” When Moshe told Bnei Yisrael, “This month we will be redeemed,” they asked, “How will we be redeemed? We have no merits.” Hashem answered, “Because I desire your redemption, I do not look at your sins.”

From this, the Chofetz Chaim concludes that a person must never give up hope in Hashem’s mercy. Even if one feels unworthy or burdened by wrongdoing, one must continue to hope and anticipate salvation. The essential lesson is that Hashem’s desire to redeem is greater than any human deficiency, and even those who feel least deserving can rely on His compassion and look forward to redemption.

According to the Ramchal in Sefer Otzarot HaRamchal (Choshen, daf 256), in his drush on the topic of hope (בקיוו), Even one who is poor in merits (דל ממעשים טובים) still can hope (תקוה) and this hope won’t lead to embarrassment (he will be answered as a result). Why? Because hope is so powerful that it in itself causes Hashem to forgive sins.