Psalms 30:11 — Word Study
WLCהָפַ֣כְתָּ מִסְפְּדִי֮ לְמָח֪וֹל לִ֥י פִּתַּ֥חְתָּ שַׂקִּ֑י וַֽתְּאַזְּרֵ֥נִי שִׂמְחָֽה׃
BSAto hearshâmaʻ The LordYᵉhôvâh be graciouschânan The LordYᵉhôvâh to behâyâh to helpʻâzar
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הָפַ֣כְתָּ | you turned | Verb, Qal, perfect second person masculine singular |
| מִסְפְּדִי֮ | wailing my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לְמָח֪וֹל | into dancing | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לִ֥י | to me | Preposition, suffix |
| פִּתַּ֥חְתָּ | you loosened | Verb, Piel, perfect second person masculine singular |
| שַׂקִּ֑י | sackcloth my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וַֽתְּאַזְּרֵ֥נִי | and you girded me | Verb piel sequential imperfect second person masculine singular, suffix |
| שִׂמְחָֽה׃ | joy | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, |
| KJV | Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; |
| ASV | Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; |
| YLT | Thou hast turned my mourning to dancing for me, Thou hast loosed my sackcloth, And girdest me [with] joy. |
| WEB | You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness, |
| BBE | By you my sorrow is turned into dancing; you have taken away my clothing of grief, and given me robes of joy; |
All translations agree on the core message of transformation in this verse.
The structure features a main clause followed by additional phrases that elaborate on the transformation, emphasizing God's actions.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁמַע
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 30:11
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Psalm of Thanksgivinggenerated
Psalm 30:11 captures a moment of deep personal reflection where the psalmist recounts a significant change in his emotional state, from mourning to joy. This transformation is attributed to God's intervention, emphasizing the theme of divine restoration found throughout the psalm. The surrounding verses highlight the psalmist's plea for help and God's faithfulness in responding to that plea, culminating in a celebration of newfound joy.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 30:5 | For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning. |
| 2 | Psalm 126:1–2 | When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers. |
| 3 | Genesis 37:35 | All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him. |
| 4 | Genesis 45:28 | “Enough!” declared Israel. “My son Joseph is still alive! I will go to see him before I die.” |
| 5 | 2 Chronicles 20:3–9 | Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 20 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הָפַךְ, ha.Fakh.tagenerated
The verb הָפַךְ (haphak) means to turn or overturn, indicating a complete change or reversal of circumstances. In this context, it signifies the transition from mourning to joy, illustrating God's ability to transform sorrow into celebration.
This transformation is not merely a change in feelings but a profound act of divine intervention, where the psalmist acknowledges that God has actively turned his mourning into dancing. The perfect aspect of the verb indicates that this action has been completed, highlighting the certainty of the change.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree that God turned mourning into dancing and removed sackcloth, emphasizing the transformation of grief into joy.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb הָפַךְ (haphak), meaning 'you turned,' governs the structure of the verse, with several phrases detailing what was turned and how. The sentence structure emphasizes the actions of God in transforming the psalmist's state.
The Hebrew word order places the focus on God's actions first, highlighting the divine initiative in the transformation from mourning to joy. The subsequent phrases elaborate on the specifics of this transformation.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb הָפַךְ is translated as ἤκουσεν (ēkousen), which means 'He heard.' This choice suggests an interpretation that emphasizes God's attentive response to the psalmist's cries rather than a direct translation of the action of turning.
This rendering indicates a slight shift in focus from the act of transformation to God's responsiveness, highlighting the relational aspect of the psalmist's experience with God.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 30:11 shows how God can change our sadness into joy. The psalmist describes how he went from mourning to dancing, as God removed his sackcloth and clothed him with joy. This verse highlights the power of God to transform our circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies a complete transformation of the psalmist's emotional state, where God replaces grief with joy and celebration.
Sackcloth is a symbol of mourning and grief; its removal represents the end of sorrow and the beginning of joy.
This theme of transformation from sorrow to joy is echoed in other scriptures, such as in Isaiah 61:3, where God comforts those who mourn.
We learn that God has the power to change our situations and bring joy into our lives, even after times of deep sorrow.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to invite God to turn my mourning into joy?
- How can I remember and celebrate the times God has transformed my sadness?
- What does it mean for me to be clothed with joy in my daily life?
- How can I support others who are experiencing mourning and help them see the possibility of joy?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers comment on the transformation of mourning into joy, emphasizing the spiritual significance of this change in the believer's life.
The joy of God is not found in just any soul but, if someone has mourned much and deeply his own sin with loud lamentations and continual weepings, as if he were bewailing his own death,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 30 →
Mourning turns to joy and the understanding of God to action.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 30 →
"You have turned My mourning into joy to Me" [Psalms 30:11]. Whom I, the Church, having received, the First-Begotten from the dead,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 30 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 30:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThose hast turned for me my mourning into dancing,.... This, with what follows, expresses the success he had in seeking the Lord by prayer and supplication; there was a sudden change of things, as it
Read John Gill on Psalms 30 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; Thou hast turned ... - (cf.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 30 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHaving related his prayer, he now declares the gracious answer which God gave him. Put off my sackcloth, i.e. given me occasion to put off that sackcloth, which they used to wear in times of mourning. See . With gladness; either with garments of gladness or rejoicing; or with joy, as with a garment surrounding me on every side; as he is for the like reason said to be girded with strength, .
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 30 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 30:11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;Ver. 11. Thou hast turned for me my mourning, &c.] Sustulisti luctum, et laetitiam attulisti.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 30 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(11) Thou hast turned for me.—This verse gives the answer to the prayer. Mourning is literally beating the breast, and therefore dancing forms a proper parallelism; or else, according to one derivation of the word, machôl would suggest piping. (See margin, Psalms 149:3; Psalms 150:4; see Smith’s Bible Dictionary, under “Dance;” and Bible Educator, vol. ii., p. 70; and comp. Note to Son 6:13.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 30 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 11. Thou hast turned - my mourning into dancing] Rather into piping. I have not prayed in vain. Though I deserved to be cut off from the land of the living, yet thou hast spared me, and the remnant of my people. Thou hast taken away my sackcloth, the emblem of my distress and misery, and girded me with gladness, when thou didst say to the destroying angel, when he stood over Jerusalem ready to destroy it: "It is enough, stay now thy hand;" 2 Samuel 24:16.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 30 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges11, 12. Prayer answered: life prolonged, and its purpose.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 30 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThou hast turned for me - In my behalf. That is, God had heard his prayer; he had brought his troubles to an end; he had caused his sorrows to be succeeded by correspondent joy.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 30 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness,
You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
Then you turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and covered me with joy.
Tyndale line
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness:
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
Thou hast turned my mourning into ioy: thou hast loosed my sacke and girded mee with gladnesse.
Strictly literal
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
Thou hast turned my mourning to dancing for me, Thou hast loosed my sackcloth, And girdest me [with] joy.
You have turned my mourning to dancing for me, || You have loosed my sackcloth, || And gird me [with] joy.
(30:12) Thou hast changed my mourning into dancing for me; thou hast loosened my sack-cloth, and girded me with joy.
You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.
From the Latin
For my life is wasted with grief: and my years in sighs. My strength is weakened through poverty and my bones are disturbed.
Simplified
You have turned my weeping into dancing. You have taken off my clothes of sackcloth and dressed me in happiness,
By you my sorrow is turned into dancing; you have taken away my clothing of grief, and given me robes of joy;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their representation of the verse, capturing the essence of the transformation from mourning to joy. The Dead Sea Scrolls fragment supports the core elements of the text, though some words are partially restored.
הָפַ֣כְתָּ מִסְפְּדִי֮ לְמָח֪וֹל לִ֥י פִּתַּ֥חְתָּ שַׂקִּ֑י וַֽתְּאַזְּרֵ֥נִי שִׂמְחָֽה׃
6 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[שמע] יהוה ויחנ׳ני [יהוה] [היה] [עזר] [ל׳י]
7 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored, 5 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 30:11
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
הָפַךְ (haphak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to turn or overturn, with implications of change and transformation. It can describe actions like turning back, being reversed, or even being perverse. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, including reflexive and passive uses, indicating a wide range of applications in the Old Testament.
הָפַךְ vb. turn, overturn
Qal
trans.
turn, turn about, turn over
overturn, overthrow
turn = change, transform
intrans.
turn, turn back
turn = change, change into
Niph.
reflex. & intrans.
turn oneself, turn, turn back
turn = change (oneself)
be perverse
pass.
be turned, turn over to
be reversed
be turned, changed
be overturned, overthrown
be upturned, of subterran. work of miners
Hithp.
turn this way & that, every way
transform oneself
Hoph. there have been turned upon me terrors
base
H2015 הָפַךְ turn, overturn .. trans. . turn, turn about, turn over
. overturn, overthrow
. turn = change, transform
. intrans. . turn, turn back
. turn = change, change into
. . reflex. & intrans. . turn oneself, turn, turn back
. turn = change (oneself)
. be perverse
. pass. . be turned, turn over to
. be reversed
. be turned, changed
. be overturned, overthrown
. be upturned, of subterran. work of miners
. . turn this way & that, every way
. transform oneself
. there have been turned upon me terrors
2015 haphak haw-fak'
a primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to
change, overturn, return, pervert:--X become, change, come, be
converted, give, make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse,
retire, tumble, turn (again, aside, back, to the contrary,
every way).
הָפַךְ (ha.phakh) — to overturn.
1) to turn, overthrow, overturn
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to overturn, overthrow
1a2) to turn, turn about, turn over, turn around
1a3) to change, transform
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to turn oneself, turn, turn back
1b2) to change oneself
1b3) to be perverse
1b4) to be turned, be turned over, be changed, be turned against
1b5) to be reversed
1b6) to be overturned, be overthrown
1b7) to be upturned
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to transform oneself
1c2) to turn this way and that, turn every way
1d) (Hophal) to turn on someone
HVqp2ms — Verb · Qal · perfect second person masculine singularHVqp2ms
מִסְפֵּד (misped) refers to wailing or mourning. It is derived from the root word that means to lament. The entries consistently highlight its association with expressions of grief, such as lamentation and mourning.
מִסְפֵּד n.m. wailing
base
H4553 מִסְפֵּד wailing
4553 micepd mis-pade'
from 5594; a lamentation:--lamentation, one mourneth,
mourning, wailing.
see HEBREW for 05594
מִסְפֵּד (mis.ped) — mourning.
wailing
HNcmsc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
מָחוֹל (machowl) refers to a round dance or dancing. It is derived from the root word meaning to dance. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to dance without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
מָחוֹל n.m. dance
base
H4234 מָחוֹל
4234 machowl maw-khole'
from 2342; a (round) dance:--dance(-cing).
see HEBREW for 02342
מָחוֹל (ma.chol) — dance.
dance, dancing
HR/Ncmsa — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
dan'-sing. See GAMES.
The Hebrew word signified "to leap for joy," Ps 30:11; and the action of the lame man healed by Peter and John, Ac 3:8, more nearly resembled the Hebrew dancing than the measured artificial steps of modern times do. The Jewish dances were expressive of religious joy and gratitude. Sometimes they were in honor of a conqueror, as in the case of David, 1Sa 18:6,7; when he had slain the Philistine giant, "the women came out all the cities of Israel singing and dancing." It was practiced on occasions of domestic joy. See the case of the prodigal son’s return. In the religious dance, the timbrel was used to direct the ceremony, and some one led, whom the rest followed with measured step and devotional songs; thus Miriam led the women…
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
פָּתַח (pathach) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to open' and can refer to various actions such as opening doors, loosening restraints, or engraving. It has different forms, including Qal (to open), Niphal (to be opened), and Piel (to engrave). The entries highlight its literal and figurative uses, but there is some overlap in meaning regarding its applications in opening and engraving.
פָּתַח vb. open
Qal open sack
Niph. be opened
Pi. be opened
free, i.e. ungird, camels
loosen (and remove) sack-cloth
open gates, doors
Hithp. loosen thee the fetters of thy neck
base
[פָּתַח] vb. Pi. engrave
Pu. stones engraved with the engravings of a signet.
base
H6605a פָּתַח open .open sack
. be opened
. be opened . free, i.e. ungird, camels
. loosen (and remove) sack-cloth
. open gates, doors
. loosen thee the fetters of thy neck
H6605b פָּתַח Pi. engrave
6605 pathach paw-thakh'
a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively);
specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve:--appear, break
forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-)grave(-n), loose (self),
(be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
פָּתַח (pa.tach) — to open.
1) to open
1a) (Qal) to open
1b) (Niphal) to be opened, be let loose, be thrown open
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to free
1c2) to loosen
1c3) to open, open oneself
1d) (Hithpael) to loose oneself
Aramaic equivalent: pe.tach (פְּתַח "to open" H6606)
פָּתַח (pa.tach) — to engrave.
1) to carve, engrave
1a) (Piel) to engrave
1b) (Pual) to be engraved
HVpp2ms — Verb · Piel · perfect second person masculine singularHVpp2ms
שַׂק (saq) refers to a type of coarse cloth or sacking, often associated with mourning. It can denote both a sack used for carrying grain and sackcloth worn in times of grief or humiliation. The term is derived from a root meaning to allow liquid to pass through, indicating its mesh-like quality.
שַׂק n.m. sack, sackcloth
base
H8242 שַׂק sack, sackcloth
8242 saq sak
from 8264; properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run
through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning
and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grain,
etc.):--sack(-cloth, -clothes).
see HEBREW for 08264
שַׂק (saq) — sackcloth.
1) mesh, sackcloth, sack, sacking
1a) sack (for grain)
1b) sackcloth
1b1) worn in mourning or humiliation
1b2) same material spread out to lie on
HNcmsc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
אָזַר (azar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to gird, encompass, or equip. It has various forms, including Qal (to gird), Niphal (to be girded), and Piel (to hold close). The word conveys a sense of preparation and strength, often used in contexts related to readiness for action or war.
[אָזַר] vb. gird, encompass, equip
Qal gird, gird on
Niph. girded with might
Pi. gird
Hithp. gird oneself
base
H247 [אָזַר] gird, encompass, equip
247 'azar aw-zar'
a primitive root; to belt:--bind (compass) about, gird (up,
with).
אָזַר (a.zar) — to gird.
1) gird, encompass, equip, clothe
1a) (Qal) to gird, gird on (metaphorical of strength)
1b) (Niphal) be girded
1c)(Piel) hold close, clasp
1d) (Hiphpael) gird oneself (for war)
Hc/Vpw2ms/Sp1bs — Verb piel sequential imperfect second person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vpw2ms/Sp1bs
שִׂמְחָה (simchah) refers to joy, gladness, and mirth. It encompasses a range of meanings from general joyfulness to religious or festival-related happiness. The word is derived from שִׂמְחָה (H8056), which also relates to pleasure and rejoicing. The entries consistently highlight its positive connotations.
שִׂמְחָה 93 n.f. joy, gladness, mirth
base
H8057 שִׂמְחָה joy, gladness, mirth
8057 simchah sim-khaw'
from 8056; blithesomeness or glee, (religious or
festival):--X exceeding(-ly), gladness, joy(-fulness), mirth,
pleasure, rejoice(-ing).
see HEBREW for 08056
שִׂמְחָה (sim.chah) — joy.
1) joy, mirth, gladness
1a) mirth, gladness, joy, gaiety, pleasure
1b) joy (of God)
1c) glad result, happy issue
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
joi (simchah; chara):
1. Terms:
The idea of joy is expressed in the Old Testament by a wealth of synonymous terms that cannot easily be differentiated. The commonest is simchah (1Sa 18:6, etc.), variously translated in English Versions of the Bible "joy," "gladness," "mirth"; from sameah, properly "to be bright," "to shine" (Pr 13:9, "The light of the righteous rejoiceth," literally, "is bright"), but generally used figuratively "to rejoice," "be glad" (Le 23:40 and very frequent).
Other nouns are masos and sason, both from sus, properly "to spring," "leap," hence, "exult," "rejoice"; rinnah, "shouting." "joy"; gil, from verb gil or gul, "to go in a circle," hence, "be excited" (dancing round for joy), "rejoice." In the New…