Psalms 30

David thanketh God for his deliverance, out of deadly dangers, and exhorteth the Church to do the like together with him, by reason of Gods incomprehensible kindness, which he had notably been made sensible of in his own person; when as by a most unexpected, sudden and terrible surprisal, being extremely frighted and perplexed, he was as wonderfully and suddenly delivered by God upon his payer.

1. A Psalm, Hymn of the Consecration of Davids house. [Or, a song of (see Psalm 48.on verse 1.) to be both plaid and sung at the consecration of Davids Court, when he was returned to Jerusalem, from the victory against Absalom, and being re-invested in his Kingdom, was purging of his Court from Absaloms abominations. 2 Sam.3. whereof most Interpreters do understand this; as it is likewise agreeable to the Argument of this Psalm. Yet some do think that David gives thanks to God here, for his being delivered from a deadly sickness, out of verse 3. And v.10. compared with Psalms 6:5. of the consecration, see Deut.20.on verse 5.]

2. I will exalt thee, LORD, [i.e. highly praise thee] for thou hast drawn me up; [as one doth fetch or draw up something out of a well, as water by buckets, whereof the Hebrew word is used, Exod.2.19. This implieth the great distress, wherein David was plunged at that time] and not mine Enemies to rejoice over me. [or, against me; as Psalms 27:2. see there.]

3. LORD, my God; I have called unto thee, and thou hast healed me, (or, made me whole;) [That is to say, thou hast delivered my life from the peril and danger of death; as is declared in the sequel. Thus all manner of plagues and miseries are often compare in Scripture to wounds and diseases; and both the spiritual and bodily deliverances of recovering, unto curings and healings. See Deuter.32.39. Psalms 103:3. and 147.3. Isa.6.10. and 19.22. Jerem.8.15. & 33.6. Hosea 7:1. and ch.11.3.]

4. LORD, thou hast brought up my soul out of the Grave; [Or, hell, i.e. out of great anguish and distress. Of the word Scheol, see Genesis 37.on verse 35. Thou hast kept me alive, that I did not descend into the pit. [or thus; that I was not among those, which descend into the pit. Compare Psalms 28:1.]

5. Psalm-sing (Or, sing Psalms) unto the LORD, ye his Favourites, [See Psalm 4.on verse 4.] and say praise for the remembrance of his Holiness. [i.e. of his works and benefits shewed unto me, and to his people, wherein he makes his holiness to shine forth.]

6. For there is a moment (onely) in his anger, (but) a life in his favourableness: [Life is opposed here to a moment, like as the evening to the morning. The meaning is. The punishments and chastisings of his children being compared with the mercies and favours he sheweth unto them, especially to their souls, it doth plainly appear, that their whole course of life doth abound, and overflow with mercies, and that the chastisements are so allayed, moderated and abbreviated, or broke off, that they may well be called very short, as David had found it in the persecution of Absalom, and declares it in the sequel, not with standing, that otherwise his cross and persecution under Sauls Government had lasted long, whereof he complaineth often in the Psalms. Compare Psalms 37:10. Isa.17.14. and 54.8. 2 Cor.4.17.] in the evening the weeping lodgeth; but in the morning there is shouting.

7. I said indeed in my prosperity; I shall not waver in Eternity. [When I was full at rest from all mine Enemies, then I imagined, no more mischance should light upon me. Compare Job 29:18,19,20, &c.]

8. (For) LORD, thou hadst set my mountain fast, through thy favourableness [Heb. Thou hadst made strength to stand upon my Mountain. The sence is, God having established his Kingdom, he did not imagine any such thing should happen unto him, as never the less, and suddenly befell him be Alsalom. By his Mountain, we may understand his Kingdom; (Compare Dan.2.35.44.) and Royal Dignity; or, Mount Zion, where he kept his Royal Court] but when thou didst hide thy face, [i.e. When thou didst somewhat withhold thy former favour, by reason of my sins; ( Compare Deut.31.on verse 17.) and drive me away from Jerusalem, by my own son then I was much dismaid. Compare Psalms 31:23. and 116.11.] I was frighted. [Or, distempted, troubled.]

9. Unto thee, LORD, I cried, and I made supplication unto the LORD.

10. What gain is there in my blood? [i.e. in my death, that Absalom and his adherents should take away my life. Compare Psalms 72:14.] in my descending to the pit? Shall dust paise thee? [Compare Psalm 6.on verse 6.] shall it proclaim thy truth?

11. Hear, LORD, and be gracious unto me: LORD be made a helper.

12. Thou hast changed me my complaint into a dancing: (in Choream) [David relateth here, how God had graciously heard his supplication, and wonderfully delivered him] thou hast united my sack-(cloath) [See Genesis 37.on verse 34. And compare 2 Samuel 15:30.] and girded me with joyfulness.

13. That (mine) honour [See Gen.49.on ver.6.] may sing Psalms unto thee, and be not silent: LORD, my God, in eternity will I praise thee.