Bible Commentaries
Psalms 30

Verses 1-12

Psalms 30

DEDICATION OF TEMPLE GROUND AREA BY DAVID

Verses 1-12:

Verse 1 recounts David’s extolling the Lord because the Lord had lifted him up or exalted him in the presence of his enemies, had not permitted them to rejoice over him, when he had almost "gone down to the pit," 2 Samuel 24:13.

Verse 2 acknowledges that when he cried to the Lord, the Lord healed him of his spiritual malady of pride, which brought on his chastisement, and the plague against his people, Psalms 6:2; Psalms 103:3; See also 1 Chronicles 21:14-27; Isaiah 1:5-6; Isaiah 6:10; 2 Chronicles 36:16.

Verse 3 adds further praise to the Lord for keeping him alive, saving him from the grave or going down to the pit, the unseen world (sheol), 2 Samuel 24:10; 2 Samuel 24:14; 2 Samuel 24:17; 2 Corinthians 1:10; Psalms 6:6-7; Habakkuk 2:5.

Verse 4 calls on all the saints (of Israel) to sing praises to the Lord, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness, or to memorialize His holiness, Psalms 97:12; 1 Chronicles 16:4; Exodus 3:15; Hosea 12:5; Isaiah 26:8; Psalms 135:13; Hosea 11:9.

Verse 5 declares that His anger is or continues but for a moment, Isaiah 54:7-10. In His favour, however is life eternal, Psalms 63:3. This is life in its fullest sense, Psalms 16:1; Psalms 34:12; Psalms 36:9; Weeping may last all night, but joy bursts forth in the morning, 2 Samuel 21:15.

Verse 6 affirms that David will never hereafter be moved from God, in his prosperity; Instead, through it all, he resolved to lean on God, Proverbs 1:32; Deuteronomy 8:10-14; Deuteronomy 32:15; Hosea 13:6. No more would he lean with pride on the number of his people, Proverbs 5:3-5.

Verse 7 relates David’s acknowledgment that it was the strength and favor of the Lord that had made his mountain (his government in Israel) stand strong, endure against his enemies. He recalls that God did hide his face, turn away for a brief time, and he had been gravely troubled, Psalms 76:4; Psalms 104:29; Nehemiah 3:25; Micah 4:8.

Verse 8 adds that he cried to the Lord, in that hour, and found grace in the hour of just chastisement, Hebrews 12:5-10; 1 John 1:8-9. See also Psalms 40:1-3; Psalms 145:18-19.

Verse 9 asks what profit, dividend or capital gain was in David’s blood, should he go down to the pit, to the grave, v.3. His blood could sing no songs and offer no praise to the Lord. If he should go down to the pit, or dust of death, his blood would not praise the Lord, or witness any truth, would it? He asks in rhetoric form; He therefore concludes the Lord will not reject his prayer, Psalms 6:5; Isaiah 38:18-19; Psalms 115:17; Isaiah 38:18.

Verse 10 adds "hear O Lord, and have mercy upon me," Lord come to be my helper; Such a prayer would not be rejected of the Lord, David was certain, 1 Chronicles 21:14-17; 2 Chronicles 7:14-16.

Verse 11 recounts David’s testimony that the Lord had turned for him, "my mourning into dancing, put off my sackcloth, and girded or supported me with gladness." This alludes to their repentance (when David numbered Israel, against the will, without sanction of the Lord) after they fell on their faces in sackcloth and ashes, 1 Chronicles 21:16.

Verse 12 concludes that the result of the Lord’s forgiveness of David and Israel and their restoration to His favor was that they might sing glory to the Lord and not just be silent; David then vows that he will sing glory and give thanks to the Lord forever, for His mercy and favor for His Divine grace, v.4, 9; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 3:21.