Psalms30
New International Version
1 I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.
4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6 When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.”
7 Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.
8 To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.”
11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
Study
Psalms 30Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 30. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Praise to God for deliverance. (1–5). Others encouraged by his example. (6–12).
vv1-5
The great things the Lord has done for us, both by his providence and by his grace, bind us in gratitude to do all we can to advance his kingdom among men, though the most we can do is but little. God's saints in heaven sing to him; why should not those on earth do the same? Not one of all God's perfections carries in it more terror to the wicked, or more comfort to the godly, than his holiness. It is a good sign that we are in some measure partakers of his holiness, if we can heartily rejoice at the remembrance of it. Our happiness is bound up in the Divine favour; if we have that, we have enough, whatever else we want; but as long as God's anger continues, so long the saints' weeping continues.
vv6-12
When things are well with us, we are very apt to think that they will always be so. When we see our mistake, it becomes us to think with shame upon our carnal security as our folly. If God hide his face, a good man is troubled, though no other calamity befal him. But if God, in wisdom and justice, turn from us, it will be the greatest folly if we turn from him. No; let us learn to pray in the dark. The sanctified spirit, which returns to God, shall praise him, shall be still praising him; but the services of God's house cannot be performed by the dust; it cannot praise him; there is none of that device or working in the grave, for it is the land of silence. We ask aright for life, when we do so that we may live to praise him. In due time God delivered the psalmist out of his troubles. Our tongue is our glory, and never more so than when employed in praising God. He would persevere to the end in praise, hoping that he should shortly be where this would be the everlasting work. But let all beware of carnal security. Neither outward prosperity, nor inward peace, here, are sure and lasting. The Lord, in his favour, has fixed the believer's safety firm as the deep-rooted mountains, but he must expect to meet with temptations and afflictions. When we grow careless, we fall into sin, the Lord hides his face, our comforts droop, and troubles assail us.
Key Words
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
שִׁיר: a song; abstractly, singing
חֲנֻכָּה: initiation, i.e. consecration
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
רוּם: to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
דָּלָה: properly, to dangle, i.e. to let down abucket (for drawing out water); figuratively, to deliver
שָׂמַח: probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
אֹיֵב: hating; an adversary
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
Cross References
Psalms 30Direct parallel in pleading that the dead cannot praise or declare God's truth from the grave.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel plea arguing that in death there is no remembrance of God or praise in the grave.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Hezekiah's parallel song of deliverance; the grave cannot praise God, nor can the pit hope for truth.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies 'glory' as the tongue or soul rejoicing and praising God, as used here.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Provides the Pentateuchal law for dedicating a private house, clarifying the psalm's title.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The historical occasion of building David's house, to which the dedication title likely refers.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Illustrates the danger of carnal security where the prosperous mistakenly say, 'I shall not be moved.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Echoes the profound trouble and dismay that occurs when God hides His face.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Alludes to being drawn up or lifted out of a horrible pit/miry clay.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Presents Yahweh as the healer, fulfilling the cry in verse 2.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Uses identical Hebrew terms for 'soul', 'grave' (sheol), and preservation from corruption.
Supported by JFB
Christ promises that temporary sorrow will be transformed quickly into permanent, overflowing joy.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Messianic promise of exchanging mourning for the oil of joy and beauty for ashes.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the dread of going down into the silent pit of the grave.
Supported by Matthew Poole
A small moment of forsaking/wrath contrasted with everlasting kindness and favor.
Supported by Matthew Henry