7 You, Yahweh, when you favored me, made my mountain to stand strong. But when you hid your face, I was troubled.
You hide your face: they are troubled; You take away their breath: they die, and return to the dust.
Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come on them; so that they will say in that day, Haven't these evils come on us because our God is not among us?
Now, Yahweh, you are God, and have promised this good thing to your servant: and now it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you: for you, Yahweh, have blessed, and it is blessed forever.
You have granted me life and loving kindness. Your visitation has preserved my spirit.
When I looked for good, then evil came; When I waited for light, there came darkness. My heart is troubled, and doesn't rest. Days of affliction have come on me. I go mourning without the sun. I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help. I am a brother to jackals, And a companion to ostriches. My skin grows black and peels from me. My bones are burned with heat. Therefore is my harp turned to mourning, And my pipe into the voice of those who weep.
For you will bless the righteous. Yahweh, you will surround him with favor as with a shield.
Why do you stand far off, Yahweh? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand sustains me. Your gentleness has made me great. You have enlarged my steps under me, My feet have not slipped.
For his anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, But joy comes in the morning.
For they didn't get the land in possession by their own sword, Neither did their own arm save them; But your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your face, Because you were favorable to them.
For you are the glory of their strength. In your favor, our horn will be exalted.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 30
Commentary on Psalms 30 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 30
Ps 30:1-12. Literally, "A Psalm-Song"—a composition to be sung with musical instruments, or without them—or, "Song of the dedication," &c. specifying the particular character of the Psalm. Some suppose that of David should be connected with the name of the composition, and not with "house"; and refer for the occasion to the selection of a site for the temple (1Ch 21:26-30; 22:1). But "house" is never used absolutely for the temple, and "dedication" does not well apply to such an occasion. Though the phrase in the Hebrew, "dedication of the house of David," is an unusual form, yet it is equally unusual to disconnect the name of the author and the composition. As a "dedication of David's house" (as provided, De 20:5), the scope of the Psalm well corresponds with the state of repose and meditation on his past trials suited to such an occasion (2Sa 5:11; 7:2). For beginning with a celebration of God's delivering favor, in which he invites others to join, he relates his prayer in distress, and God's gracious and prompt answer.
1. lifted me up—as one is drawn from a well (Ps 40:2).
2. healed me—Affliction is often described as disease (Ps 6:2; 41:4; 107:20), and so relief by healing.
3. The terms describe extreme danger.
soul—or, "myself."
grave—literally, "hell," as in Ps 16:10.
hast kept me … pit—quickened or revived me from the state of dying (compare Ps 28:1).
4. remembrance—the thing remembered or memorial.
holiness—as the sum of God's perfections (compare Ps 22:3), used as name (Ex 3:15; Ps 135:13).
5. Relatively, the longest experience of divine anger by the pious is momentary. These precious words have consoled millions.
6, 7. What particular prosperity is meant we do not know; perhaps his accession to the throne. In his self-complacent elation he was checked by God's hiding His face (compare Ps 22:24; 27:9).
7. troubled—confounded with fear (Ps 2:5).
8-11. As in Ps 6:5; 88:10; Isa 38:18, the appeal for mercy is based on the destruction of his agency in praising God here, which death would produce. The terms expressing relief are poetical, and not to be pressed, though "dancing" is the translation of a word which means a lute, whose cheerful notes are contrasted with mourning, or (Am 5:16) wailing.
11. sackcloth—was used, even by kings, in distress (1Ch 21:16; Isa 37:1) but "gladness," used for a garment, shows the language to be figurative.
12. Though "my" is supplied before "glory" it is better as in Ps 16:9, to receive it as used for tongue, the organ of praise. The ultimate end of God's mercies to us is our praise to Him.