Psalms 30

Psalms 30:6-12

This psalm is said to be penned on occasion of the dedication of his house; whence he takes occasion to remember his past afflicted state, 2 Sam. v. 11, or it may be it relates to the chandling it after Abraham’s insult and deference. 1. He praises God for the deliverances he had wronged for him, ver. 1-3. 2. He calls upon others to praise him too, and encourages them to trust in him, ver. 4, 5. 3. He blames himself for his former favorite, ver. 6, 7. 4. He recollects the prayers and complaints he had made in his distress, ver. 8-10. and then thanks God for this present comfortable change, ver. 11, 12.

¶ A psalm and song, * at the dedication of the house of David. 1. Deut. xx. 2. 3. Sam. v. 11.

1. I WILL extol thee, O LORD, for thou hast lifted me up, and ‘halt 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 birth 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 cement in the morning.

2. 1-5. Every house of a child of God will be a sanctuary, where prayer and praise are daily offered.

3. David begins with the voice of thanksgiving for the mercies he had tailed; his foes fought his ruin, he was sick perhaps in body, and afflicted in mind; the grave seemed to be open to receive him; but he cried, and the Lord heard him, and delivered him not of all his troubles; therefore he will re-volve, I will extol thee, for thou hast lifted me up; will declare thy greatness and goodness, and alerthe the whole of my salvation to thy power and grace. Note, (1.) We brought into the world with us the disease of mortal corruption; it is matter of until eatable joy, if by the blood and grace of Jesus our dying souls are healed. (2.) Recoveries from sickness deserve songs of praise; and that the life preferred by God’s mercy, be a new devoted to his glory. (3.) In all afflicted cases, whether of body or mind, the prayer of faith availeth much.

4. He calls upon others to join in the song of praise. Sing unto the Lord, O ye joient of his: this is the character of God’s people, they are depraved from sin, and by divine grace renewed in righteousness and true holiness, and therefore they give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness; pleased with beholding this brightest attribute of their glorious God; satisfied in the righteousness of all his ways, and deriving comfort from the con-

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consideration that, as in a measure they resemble him now, they shall shortly awake up in his perfect image. For his anger endured but a moment; not that we are to impute to him any such imperfection, or turbulence in his holy mind as we feel, but according as men chaffise in anger those who offend them, God deals thus with those who sin against him; but to his people, even this is not the stroke of an enemy, but the end of a father, gently correcting us for our good. In his favour is life; spiritual life, eternal life, which is the sure portion of his choice, notwithstanding momentary afflictions. Weeping may endure for a night; and some wearisome nights our sins and folly provoke God to make us feel, when he withdraws, and fastsnefs and differses surround us; but joy cometh in the morning; the season of sorrow is short, and as the welcome fun returning differses the shadows of the night, so doth God return to lift up the light of his countenance on his mourning faints, and wakes up their joyful praises. Note, In all our troubles here, we should remember they are light afflictions, but for a moment; the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory which is to follow, will quickly wipe every tear from our eyes.

6. And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. 7. LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. 8. I cried to thee, O LORD: and unto the LORD I made supplication. 9. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? I shall the dust praise thee! I shall it declare thy truth? 10. Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. 11. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. 12. To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent: O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

We are ever apt to be swinging to extremes, too elated with comfort, or too dejected in distress. This was David’s case:

1. In his prosperity he grew secure, confident he should never be moved: his foes all vanquished, and his throne firmly settled, he thought himself fixed as a mountain; and though he ascites it to divine grace, he seems to place some truth of his stability on himself. Note, (1.) Worldly prosperity is dangerously intoxicating; it is what lulls men in general asleep, and makes even the faints of God to forget that this is a warfare. (2.) God is sometimes pleased to visit young converts with strong consideration, and they are ready to conclude it shall be always so with them; but the feast of sense seldom lasts long.

2. Trouble overtook him, and dejection of soul, from the fear of God’s favour being withdrawn, sunk him low into the dust, yet not into despair, he cried unto the Lord, and made his supplications; finding his weakness, and feeling now where alone his strength lay, he pleads hard therefore for mercy and help in this his time of need; and pleads the loss which would accrue from his fall: his enemies could render no glory to God for shedding his blood; God would be no more praised by him in the sanctuary, nor his cause promoted among the living; and especially God’s truth would be dishonoured, if he finds under his burdens, v. 9. and did not survive to declare his faithfulness. Note, (1.) In our lowest frames let nothing drive us from prayer; as long as we have a voice to cry to God, there is hope in our end. (2.) There are services which the faints of God can render him on earth, that they cannot even in heaven, and this makes it desirable to live.

3. Soon the glad change appears; whilst he is speaking, God answers; his sorrows turn to joy; his mourning is ended, and songs of melody and love declare the praises of him who brought him out of darkness into his marvellous light: such experience engages his glory, his soul, his tongue to praise God for ever; and these lively expressions of his gratitude he trusts shall last not only whilst life and breath endures below, but be perpetuated through the countless ages of eternity. Go thou redeemed soul then, and do likewise.