Psalms 30:1

PSALM XXX

The psalmist returns thanks to God for deliverance from great

danger, 1-3.

He calls upon the saints to give thanks to God at the

remembrance of his holiness, because of his readiness to save,

4, 5.

He relates how his mind stood affected before this great trial

and how soon an unexpected change took place, 6, 7;

mentions how, and in what terms, he prayed for mercy, 8-10;

shows how God heard and delivered him and the effect it had

upon his mind, 11, 12.

NOTES ON PSALM XXX

This Psalm or song is said to have been made or used at the dedication of the house of David, or rather the dedication of a house or temple; for the word David refers not to הבית habbayith, the house, but to מזמור mizmor, a Psalm. But what temple or house could this be? Some say, the temple built by Solomon; others refer it to the dedication of the second temple under Zerubbabel, and some think it intended for the dedication of a third temple, which is to be built in the days of the Messiah. There are others who confine it to the dedication of the house which David built for himself on Mount Sion, after he had taken Jerusalem from the Jebusites; or to the purgation and re-dedication of his own house, that had been defiled by the wicked conduct of his own son Absalom. Calmet supposes it to have been made by David on the dedication of the place which he built on the threshing floor of Araunah, after the grievous plague which had so nearly desolated the kingdom, 2 Samuel 24:25; 1 Chronicles 21:26. All the parts of the Psalm agree to this: and they agree to this so well, and to no other hypothesis, that I feel myself justified in modelling the comment on this principle alone.

Verse Psalms 30:1. I will extol thee - for thou hast lifted me up] I will lift thee up, for thou hast lifted me up. Thou hast made me blessed, and I will make thee glorious. Thou hast magnified me in thy mercy; and I will show forth thy praise, and speak good of thy name.

I have made some remarks on this Psalm in the Introduction.

In this Psalm we find seven different states of mind distinctly marked: -

1. It is implied, in the first verse, that David had been in great distress, and nearly overwhelmed by his enemies.

2. He extols God for having lifted him up, and having preserved him from the cruelty of his adversaries, Psalms 30:1.

3. He is brought into great prosperity, trusts in what he had received, and forgets to depend wholly on the Lord, Psalms 30:4.

4. The Lord hides his face from him, and he is brought into great distress, Psalms 30:7.

5. He feels his loss, and makes earnest prayer and supplication, Psalms 30:8.

6. He is restored to the Divine favour, and filled with joy, Psalms 30:11.

7. He purposes to glory in God alone, and to trust in him for ever, Psalms 30:12.

As it is impossible for any man to have passed through all these states at the same time; it is supposed that the Psalm, like many others of the same complexion, has been formed out of the memoranda of a diary. See this point illustrated in the Introduction.

Thou hast lifted me up] Out of the pit into which I had fallen: the vain curiosity, and want of trust in God, that induced me to number the people. Bishop Horsley translates, Because thou hast depressed me. I thank God for my humiliation and afflictions, because they have been the means of teaching me lessons of great profit and importance.