Psalms 30

KJV · Chapter 30/150

1I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

2O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

3O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

4Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

6And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

7Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.

8I cried to thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication.

9What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

10Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper.

11Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

12To 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.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

David thanks God for having healed and restored him after a period of suffering, acknowledging that he had grown proud in prosperity, and celebrates that fleeting weeping gave way to lasting joy.

Explanation

The title links this psalm to the dedication of David's house (or, according to later tradition, the dedication of the temple), suggesting a context of celebration after a difficult time. The most quoted verse — 'weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning' — expresses one of the most comforting promises in the Bible about the temporary nature of suffering. David also admits a fault of his own: in prosperity he thought 'I shall never be moved,' a pride that preceded hardship. Today's application: both humility in prosperity and hope in pain are part of a mature faith.

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