Psalms 30 - Introduction

A.M. 2962. B.C. 1042.

This is a Psalm of thanksgiving for the great deliverances which God had wrought for David, composed and sung, no doubt, upon the occasion of his dedicating his house of cedar, mentioned 2 Samuel 5:11. It is penned with great strength and elegance of diction, and the sentiments of piety in it are truly noble and instructive. The manner in which he describes the interpositions of God in his favour, and the gratitude of his own heart, is warm, sententious, and affecting; the periods being short, and answering to the events which crowded fast upon one another, and the various affections that inspired him. He praises God for delivering him, and exhorts others to praise him, Psalms 30:1. Recollects his former security and his prayer when in trouble, 6-10. And stirs himself up to thankfulness, Psalms 30:11; Psalms 30:12. The Psalm is well suited to the occasion on which it was penned, for nothing could be more proper than the recollection of the past conduct of Providence amidst the various changes of condition which had attended him, the numerous and dangerous distresses that had befallen him, and the deliverances which God had seasonably wrought out for him; till at length he was brought to the height of prosperity, when he saw Jerusalem well fortified, and her numerous buildings rising up under his hand, and his own palace magnificently finished for the residence of himself and family.

Title. At the dedication, &c. Hebrew, שׁיר חנכת, shirchanucath, a song of initiation of the house of David. The word signifies, the first use that is made of any thing. It was common among the Jews, when any person had finished a house and entered into it, to celebrate the event with great rejoicings, and keep a festival, to which his friends were invited. And these dedications were performed in a very solemn manner, with divers rites, prayers, and praises to God, as the nature of the business required. And it seems probable from the matter of this Psalm, compared with the title, that David had about this time been delivered from some eminent distresses, and particularly from some dangerous sickness, for which he here gives thanks to God, taking advantage of this public and solemn occasion.