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Psalms 30
A PSALM, A SONG OF THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE, BY DAVID.S.R. Hirsch points out that, apart from the first line, this Psalm does not mention the Temple. The Psalm does however epitomize that which the Temple represents: the Presence of the Almighty amongst us, His Protection, His Providence, the ability to communicate with Him and to give thanks. [Psalms 30:1] I WILL EXTOL THEE, O LORD; FOR THOU HAST LIFTED ME UP, AND HAST NOT MADE MY FOES TO REJOICE OVER ME. [Psalms 30:2] O LORD MY GOD, I CRIED UNTO THEE, AND THOU HAST HEALED ME. The Commentator "Metzudat David" says this is the forgiveness of sin. Sin is like a sickness. We are all sick to a degree. With the help of God we can heal ourselves. Even when we feel there is no hope the very act of asking for help from the Almighty is a healing process. When a person actually is physically sick they should ask God to heal and help them. It works. [Psalms 30:3] 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. Most of us at some time or other have been ill and recovered. A lot of us have been saved from death more than once (car accidents, etc). We should realize that as easily as we were saved it could have gone the other way. Our lives have been given back to us over and over again as a gift. We have a duty to fulfill. <<GRAVE>>: In Hebrew "sheol" the place of the dead.. According to S.R. Hirsch (Psalms 9:18) it is derived from the root "Sh-A-L" meaning "loan". The earthly grave demands the return of the body to the earth. We are here on "borrowed" time. Perhaps this is the source of the English word "soul". In Old Saxon "seola" was the equivalent of the English "soul". The Hebrew of "sheol" in the north would have been pronounced as "seol". [Psalms 30:4] SING UNTO THE LORD, O YE SAINTS OF HIS, AND GIVE THANKS AT THE REMEMBRANCE OF HIS HOLINESS. <<SAINTS>>: Hebrew "Chasidav" connoting those who do good deeds, especially to others. [Psalms 30:5] FOR HIS ANGER ENDURETH BUT A MOMENT; IN HIS FAVOUR IS LIFE: WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT, BUT JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING. A lot of times in bad or difficult stages of our life we tend to despair but this is a mistake. God will help us especially if we do our best to help ourselves according to our ability And the opportunities that come our way. By being good, praying, and learning the Bible we often Merit to develop an inner instinct that tells us what right decisions to make. [Psalms 30:6] AND IN MY PROSPERITY I SAID, I SHALL NEVER BE MOVED. All of us when things are going well tend to forget the bad times. This is natural and even welcome but we should try also to retain humility. When you see others in trouble remember how you felt in a similar situation. [Psalms 30:7] LORD, BY THY FAVOUR THOU HAST MADE MY MOUNTAIN TO STAND STRONG: THOU DIDST HIDE THY FACE, AND I WAS TROUBLED. << TROUBLED>>: Hebrew "Nivhal", connotes "panicked". I was strong as a mountain when I was in favor with YOU. You hid your face and I was undone and terrified. [Psalms 30:8] I CRIED TO THEE, O LORD; AND UNTO THE LORD I MADE SUPPLICATION. [Psalms 30:9] WHAT PROFIT IS THERE IN MY BLOOD, WHEN I GO DOWN TO THE PIT? SHALL THE DUST PRAISE THEE? SHALL IT DECLARE THY TRUTH? I am only human and I can do good and want to. Give me a chance. [Psalms 30:10] HEAR, O LORD, AND HAVE MERCY UPON ME: LORD, BE THOU MY HELPER. [Psalms 30:11] THOU HAST TURNED FOR ME MY MOURNING INTO DANCING: THOU HAST PUT OFF MY SACKCLOTH, AND GIRDED ME WITH GLADNESS; [Psalms 30:12] 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. <<SILENT>>: Hebrew "Yidom" from the root "DOM", silence. This is the probably source of the English word "dumb". Psalms Index Home |