Psalms 30 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
1I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
PSALM 30
Psa 30:1-12. Literally, "A Psalm-Song"--a composition to be sung with musical instruments, or without them--or, "Song of the dedication," &c. specifying the particular character of the Psalm. Some suppose that of David should be connected with the name of the composition, and not with "house"; and refer for the occasion to the selection of a site for the temple (1Ch 21:26-30; 22:1). But "house" is never used absolutely for the temple, and "dedication" does not well apply to such an occasion. Though the phrase in the Hebrew, "dedication of the house of David," is an unusual form, yet it is equally unusual to disconnect the name of the author and the composition. As a "dedication of David's house" (as provided, De 20:5), the scope of the Psalm well corresponds with the state of repose and meditation on his past trials suited to such an occasion (2Sa 5:11; 7:2). For beginning with a celebration of God's delivering favor, in which he invites others to join, he relates his prayer in distress, and God's gracious and prompt answer.
1. lifted me up--as one is drawn from a well (Psa 40:2).
2O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
2. healed me--Affliction is often described as disease (Psa 6:2; 41:4; 107:20), and so relief by healing.
3O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
3. The terms describe extreme danger.
soul--or, "myself."
grave--literally, "hell," as in Psa 16:10.
hast kept me ... pit--quickened or revived me from the state of dying (compare Psa 28:1).
4Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
4. remembrance--the thing remembered or memorial.
holiness--as the sum of God's perfections (compare Psa 22:3), used as name (Ex 3:15; Psa 135:13).
5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
5. Relatively, the longest experience of divine anger by the pious is momentary. These precious words have consoled millions.
6And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
6-7. What particular prosperity is meant we do not know; perhaps his accession to the throne. In his self-complacent elation he was checked by God's hiding His face (compare Psa 22:24; 27:9).
7LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
6-7. What particular prosperity is meant we do not know; perhaps his accession to the throne. In his self-complacent elation he was checked by God's hiding His face (compare Psa 22:24; 27:9).
8I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
8-11. As in Psa 6:5; 88:10; Is 38:18, the appeal for mercy is based on the destruction of his agency in praising God here, which death would produce. The terms expressing relief are poetical, and not to be pressed, though "dancing" is the translation of a word which means a lute, whose cheerful notes are contrasted with mourning, or (Am 5:16) wailing.
9What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
8-11. As in Psa 6:5; 88:10; Is 38:18, the appeal for mercy is based on the destruction of his agency in praising God here, which death would produce. The terms expressing relief are poetical, and not to be pressed, though "dancing" is the translation of a word which means a lute, whose cheerful notes are contrasted with mourning, or (Am 5:16) wailing.
10Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
8-11. As in Psa 6:5; 88:10; Is 38:18, the appeal for mercy is based on the destruction of his agency in praising God here, which death would produce. The terms expressing relief are poetical, and not to be pressed, though "dancing" is the translation of a word which means a lute, whose cheerful notes are contrasted with mourning, or (Am 5:16) wailing.
11Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
8-11. As in Psa 6:5; 88:10; Is 38:18, the appeal for mercy is based on the destruction of his agency in praising God here, which death would produce. The terms expressing relief are poetical, and not to be pressed, though "dancing" is the translation of a word which means a lute, whose cheerful notes are contrasted with mourning, or (Am 5:16) wailing.
12To 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.
12. Though "my" is supplied before "glory" it is better as in Psa 16:9, to receive it as used for tongue, the organ of praise. The ultimate end of God's mercies to us is our praise to Him.