A psalm—a song used at the dedication of the temple; by David.
This song was written by David, possibly at the dedication of the temple site.
30:1 I will praise you, O Lord, for you lifted me up, and did not allow my enemies to gloat over me.
David will praise Jehovah, because Jehovah lifted him up when he was down. He did not allow David’s enemies to defeat him and gloat over him. Those enemies who attacked David were violating both the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. They would receive a kind-for-kind judgment.
30:2 O Lord my God, I cried out to you and you healed me.
Jehovah is the Great Physician. David did not go to a faith healer. He prayed to God and God healed him.
30:3 O Lord, you pulled me up from Sheol; you rescued me from among those descending into the grave.
If taken literally, then David died, went to Sheol, and was raised from the dead. Jehovah is God. He can do these things.
4 Sing to the Lord, you faithful followers of his; give thanks to his holy name.
David asked the congregation to sing praises of thanksgiving to Jehovah, because His name is holy.
30:5 For his anger lasts only a brief moment, and his good favor restores one’s life. One may experience sorrow during the night, but joy arrives in the morning.
Jehovah possesses a righteous anger, but it is only for a brief moment. If Jehovah chooses to bring good favor to an individual, then He can restore that person’s life. He can raise them from the dead and restore their life. One may have a tough time during the night, but he receives joy in the morning.
30:6 In my self-confidence I said, “I will never be upended.”
David was confident in Jehovah. He knows that Jehovah is sovereign over all life and death. David will never be upended, unless Jehovah decrees it.
30:7 O Lord, in your good favor you made me secure. Then you rejected me and I was terrified.
Jehovah was nice to David and showed him grace. He placed a hedge of protection around David. Then, David sinned and the hedge was removed. This temporary rejection of God terrified David.
30:8 To you, O Lord, I cried out; I begged the Lord for mercy:
David was disciplined by God. David cried out and begged Jehovah to show mercy upon him.
30:9 “What profit is there in taking my life, in my descending into the Pit? Can the dust of the grave praise you? Can it declare your loyalty?
David had apparently committed the sin unto death. This sin may have been the numbering of his people. He asked Jehovah to spare his life.
30:10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me! O Lord, deliver me!”
David again asked Jehovah to spare his life.
30:11 Then you turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and covered me with joy.
If Jehovah will answer David’s prayer and save his life, then David can quit mourning in sackcloth and began dancing and rejoicing in the name of Jehovah. In ancient Israel, music and dancing was used to glorify Jehovah. In modern societies, music and dance is used to glorify sin.
30:12 So now my heart will sing to you and not be silent; O Lord my God, I will always give thanks to you.
David will no longer mourn in silence. Instead, he will sing praise to Jehovah. He will give thanks to God.