Psalm 30: Joy Comes with the Morning

​I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up 
and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 
2    O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, 
and you have healed me. 
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. 
4    Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, 
and give thanks to his holy name. 
5    For his anger is but for a moment, 
and his favor is for a lifetime. 
       Weeping may tarry for the night, 
but joy comes with the morning. 
6    As for me, I said in my prosperity, 
“I shall never be moved.” 
7    By your favor, O Lord, 
you made my mountain stand strong; 
       you hid your face; 
I was dismayed. 
8    To you, O Lord, I cry, 
and to the Lord I plead for mercy: 
9    “What profit is there in my death, 
if I go down to the pit? 
       Will the dust praise you? 
Will it tell of your faithfulness? 
10    Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! 
O Lord, be my helper!” 
11    You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; 
you have loosed my sackcloth 
and clothed me with gladness, 
12    that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. 
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! 
 
 
Meditation
The end of human history is the application of Christ’s victory, salvation eradicating suffering. Sadness, sickness, sin, and sorrow are not the end of the story. God is working everything for His glory.
 
David’s psalm was written for the temple dedication, a reflection of his preparation and planning before his passing (1 Chronicles 22:5). God’s people determine to respond to God’s salvation with worship- He alone draws us close, hears our cries, heals us, and saves our souls (1-3). Gratitude grows from God’s grace (4-5) and is cultivated through expanded reports of praise: deliverance from distress (6-7), hearing our cries for help and hope (8-10), and praise testimonies of deliverance (11-2). Personally experiencing God’s salvation is celebrated in the corporate worship of God’s people.
 
Central to this hymn of gratitude is the end of God’s anger and fountainhead of God’s favor. Sacrifice in the temple satisfied God’s just wrath against sin so His people could begin again. Personal salvation and public praise cultivate hope in ultimate application of salvation for all creation. God’s people have joy in our mourning because we know joy comes in the morning, the dawn of eternity when God’s people richly dwell with Him, for eternity (Revelation 21:3).
 
Jesus is David’s greater son who was Himself both the temple (John 2:21) and the sacrifice that abdicates God’s anger against sin, offering grace so we can be born again and begin again. Jesus defeated death so believers can know salvation personally and live in light of His eternal victory. Salvation, not suffering, is the end of His-story.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from this psalm of grateful praise, especially in regards to the celebration of God’s salvation and hope in it’s one day full application?
 
-Where do you need to join the chorus of grateful praise, moving from your gloom and doom by deciding to respond to God’s salvation with worship?
 
-How does the work of Jesus not only secure salvation for you personally but cultivate hope for His redemption to be applied to all craton at the end of His-Story? How does this fuel your faith today and hope for tomorrow?
 
Key Verse
5    For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.