Psalm 30:1-5 – “I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
3 O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Have you gone through a season in life when your perfect plan for enjoying the fruit of your labor and sacrifice was suddenly blindsided by an unexpected loss, interruption or heartbreak? If you haven’t faced a devastating heartache, you will! After all, you cannot live in a sin cursed world and escape the consequences of sin.
Psalm 30 is a hymn of thanksgiving written on the occasion of the dedication of king David’s new palace in Jerusalem. The king had benefited from God’s blessings, triumphed in battle, but also carried the sorrows of pride and sin. David enumerates in this psalm several events in his life for which he was thankful to the LORD.
Psalm 30:1 – “I will extol [exalt; lift high] thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up [to draw forth like water], and hast not made my foes [enemy; adversary] to rejoice [be glad; make merry] over me.”
He was thankful God had delivered him from his adversaries (30:1b). Like a bucket of water drawn from a deep well, David gave thanks that the LORD had lifted him up (30:1) and spared him the sorrow of defeat and the humiliation of his enemies rejoicing in his troubles.
Psalm 30:2 – “O LORD my God [Elohim; Mighty, Sovereign God], I cried [cried out; cry for help] unto thee, and thou hast healed [cured; mend] me.”
David was also thankful God had, as the Great Physician, answered his prayers and healed him. We are not told what sickness (whether physical or emotional distress) or disease he had suffered; however, the king was thankful Elohim, “O Lord my God”, had heard his cry for help and healed him (30:2).
Psalm 30:3 – “O LORD, thou hast brought up [ascend; offer up] my soul [life; person] from the grave [Sheol; hell; pit]: thou hast kept me alive [revive; restore; sustain], that I should not go down [descend; fall; sink down] to the pit [prison; dungeon].
Thirdly, David was thankful he had been spared death. The “grave” is literally Sheol, the realm of dead spirits before Christ’s resurrection. The king had been near death and, apart from God answering his cry for help, was sure to die. Not only did the LORD intervene as his Savior (“brought up my soul”), He also restored him to health (30:3).
A song of praise and thanksgiving for the congregation of God’s people followed David’s testimony (30:4-5).
Psalm 30:4 – “Sing [Praise; play an instrument; make music] unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks [praise; thanksgiving; revere; worship] at the remembrance [memory; recollection] of his holiness [sanctuary; sacredness; consecration].”
David had rejoiced in the LORD as the Deliverer from his adversaries, the Great Physician of those who are ill, and Savior of those nigh unto death; reflecting on the very essence of God Who is holy, the king commanded the people to lift up their voices in praise and thanksgiving (30:4).
Psalm 30:5 – “For his anger [wrath; passion; lit. flaring of the nose in anger] endureth but a moment [instant; wink of the eyes]; in his favour [delight; acceptance; pleasure; goodwill] is life [living]: weeping [note – picture loud weeping or wailing] may endure [lodge; tarry; remain] for a night, but joy [singing; rejoicing; gladness; shout of joy] cometh in the morning [on the morrow; at the break of day].”
God is not only holy; He is gracious, forgiving and longsuffering (30:5). While our sin provokes Him to anger, His wrath passes in “a moment” (30:5a) and the promise of His mercy and grace “is life” (30:5b).
Trials and troubles may deprive you of sleep and tears wet your pillow in the night, but don’t lose hope! God promises, “joy cometh in the morning” (30:5c). Focus on the LORD. Remember He is holy, forgiving, gracious and loving. Sing to the LORD; worship Him and when the night has passed and the first golden rays of the sun pierce the eastern sky—Rejoice in the Lord!
Copyright 2015 – Travis D. Smith