Psalms 30

Psalms 30:1-12

“ Joy Cometh in the Morning” Psalms 30:1-12 This psalm dates from 2 Samuel 5:11. What a contrast between Adullam’ s cave and the house of cedar! When God has lifted us up in mercy, we should lift Him up in song. Apparently David had been passing through a time of sickness or intense sorrow, and now he could not be thankful enough for God’ s redeeming mercy. When shall we realize that God both forgives sin and redeems us from its eternal consequences! Weeping is here personified; she is only a lodger, who tarries for the brief Eastern night, and then, veiled, glides out of the house at daybreak. With the first ray of light Joy comes to abide, and we hear His hearty salutation in the vestibule. We need more of the joy of the Lord. The first touch of pain makes us cry, Psalms 30:8; but we are slow to put on and wear the girdle and the garments of gladness. Be of good cheer, sad friend; God will yet turn “ the shadow of death into the morning!”

Thou hast lifted me up!It becomes the child of God to dedicate the house in which he lives, so that each room is part of His temple, dedicated to His service and used for His glory. David wrote this Psalm and song on the occasion referred to in 2 Samuel 5:11. It records the emotions which befitted the transition from the cave of Adullam to the splendor and comfort of a house of cedar.

Psalms 30:1I will extol Thee!. Lift Him up in song, who has lifted thee up in mercy.

Psalms 30:2-3 Thou! Thou! Thou!. It may be that David celebrates here his recovery from some deadly sickness. At such times we must not put the physician in the place of God (2 Chronicles 16:12).

Psalms 30:4-5 Sing! And give thanks!.No one though he were a sweet singer like David, could tell forth all God’s praise. Weeping is here personified as a lodger who tarries for the brief Eastern night, and then, veiled, glides out of the house before daybreak. With the first ray of light joy comes to stay.

Psalms 30:6-9I cried to Thee!. When our circumstances are prosperous, we begin to rest in them rather than in God. We forget Him. Then He hides his face. The Chaldee says, “His sheckinah.” And the soul, panic-stricken, turns from the creature to the Creator.

Psalms 30:10. “Lord, be Thou my helper,” is a prayer which fits our life , every day. How swiftly the prayer was heard!

Psalms 30:11-12.In these utterances the past tense is used of Him who turneth the shadow of death into morning. Christ might have used these words of rapture on the Resurrection day. Each penitent may use them. And we shall use them when we have put off the body of our humiliation and stand before God in his sanctuary (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).