Psalm 30
Pastor Mark Hudson
The superscription of this Psalm is ‘a song at the dedication of the temple [actually ‘house’]’ yet David never dedicated the temple since he was not allowed to build it. David was not alive when the temple was finished. The other interesting aspect of the superscription and the Psalm is that there is little talk of offerings, sacrifices, and religious words associated with the temple. This is not a Psalm a reader would naturally associate with the temple at all, let alone the dedication of the temple. While we know David was a master planner for the temple (I Chr. 22), could it be that this song is for that future dedication? However, we make sense of the relationship with the ‘title’ or superscription and the content, we can still notice aspects of the Psalm.
A simple way to look at this Psalm is:
1-5 The rescue
6-10 The foolish boast
11-12 The celebration (Kidner)
Notice the key theme of the Psalm is praise. We begin and end with praise. Also notice the nearness of death as a key component of this Psalm in vs. 3 and 9 and weeping in the face of death in vs. 5 and 11. This is written from a person who knows trouble and affliction. He has enemies. “[You} have not let my foes rejoice over me” in verse 1. He is talking often about death in vs. 3 and 9 as if he narrowly escaped death at the hands of those enemies.
For some reason, while he is praising God from the beginning to end of the Psalm, he has experienced either God’s disfavor (for His anger is but for a moment v. 5) or he has suffered some loss (weeping may tarry for the night v. 5) so he is hurting. In verse 3, “O Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.” Yet he is calling on people to praise God (v. 4).
As you read v. 6, you will notice a self-censure. David claimed a self-confidence or at least a bit of pride that blinded him to the reality of life. Sometimes, we don’t want to see what is obvious. David thought he was set. He thought he was no longer in a precarious situation. We don’t know why he felt that way. That self-assurance did not last long. He soon became confused, bewildered, or dismayed (v. 7). Sinful thinking can do that to you. Sin twists you, confuses you, and makes you twist reality into something it is not.
His plea for not dying is a curious one. ‘If I die, I will no longer praise You!’ is his best argument. Is this because God deserves the praise? Or because it does the worshipper good to praise God? Or because people need to hear about God’s faithfulness? He seems confident this argument will persuade God to let him live. In fact, after God answers his prayers, he praises God for the gladness he is experiencing. He promises not to be silent (v. 12).
When you look at your life, you and I should praise God for the change He has made in our lives. If you have lived into your 5th or 6th decade, you will experience weeping at some point. You may encounter God’s anger, but, if you are a believer, you will also enjoy his favor and joy (v. 5). We know that while some of us may be dancing, others are mourning. Some are wearing sackcloth and other joyful attire. At any time in a church’s life, there are people at both ends of the spectrum. A baby is born; a person dies.
But no matter our circumstances, even if our own sin angered God and He is justly allowing us to experience the consequences, we still look to the eternal God. We may be mourning a deep loss or repenting over our own sin. We may be recovering from a time of pride and alienation from God. We should still say with David, “O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.” Our circumstances should not stop us from praising God.
Dear heavenly Father, we approach You with repentance, praise and faith in our Lord Jesus. You alone are worthy of every moment of praise we offer. You are the One we cry to and plead for mercy. We will never ask for justice but only mercy. Lord, as we draw near to You we pray for our world and the crisis we observe. We pray for our government that godliness would be love and respected. We pray all this for your eternal glory and that Your kingdom would come. In the glorious name of Christ. Amen.