Psalms 30 Explained!!

[Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

Click Reference Link to Read Chapter: BibleRef.com

Chapter Commentary:

The first words of this psalm connect it to a dedication. This likely refers to when David consecrated the future site of the temple (1 Chronicles 22:1; 2 Chronicles 3:1). This came after David sinned by conducting an improper census (1 Chronicles 21:7–14). God's response was judgment tempered by mercy. Rather than allowing David to fall to his enemies, the Lord sent a plague on the nation. Even that was cut short, as David pleaded for his people (1 Chronicles 21:15–17). The themes of God's mercy, rescue from death, judgment on arrogance, and pleas for forgiveness are key to this psalm.

David praises the Lord because God had lifted him up from distress. God didn't allow David to fall to his enemies. Perhaps David was also recalling a deathly illness, possibly the same plague that fell on Israel. Scripture records many instances where a human enemy threatened David's life. Yet God kept him alive through all those trials. Rather than allowing David to fall, God chose to rescue him, even from the brink of death (Psalm 30:1–3).

Responding to this mercy, David appealed to the Lord's people to praise God and thank Him. This passage connects God's judgment to the sin of arrogance. When David became too complacent about his own power, the Lord chastised him. Feeling overconfident pride means trusting one's own power instead of relying on God. Even as he was being corrected, David recognized such measures are temporary for believers. God's love is eternal, so those who trust in Him can rejoice even when they experience discipline (Psalm 30:4–7).

David seems to reflect on the way he prayed when God sent righteous discipline. Rather than beg for life, for life's sake, David wanted to continue praising and worshipping the Lord.

Part of his appeal for mercy was this desire to give more glory to God. Because he turned from arrogance to humility, David was forgiven, and God turned his grief into joy. Rather than being trapped in misery and shame, David was able to embrace the joy of God's forgiveness. For that, David intends to offer unending thanks (Psalm 30:8–12).

Verse Context:

Psalm 30:1–5 opens by praising the Lord. David recalls God's forgiveness and healing, allowing him to live. He calls upon the righteous to praise and thank the Lord. David also reflects upon the brevity of the Lord's anger. Although the Lord disciplined and therefore David wept through the night, his joy soon returned when the discipline ended. For the believer, God's rebuke is temporary, but His love is eternal.

Psalm 30:6–10 contains David's appeal for God's mercy. These words may have been his prayer when appealing to God for forgiveness over a sinful choice he made as king (1 Chronicles 21:7–17). He calls on the Lord, his helper, to be merciful to him. David frames his request as one who wants to live so he can continue to worship God.

Psalm 30:11–12 follows David's prayers for mercy and healing. The Lord answered his prayer, so David rejoices and exchanges his attitude of grief for gladness. He determines to praise the Lord and to thank Him forever. The psalm ends as it began: with praise and thanksgiving.

Chapter Summary:

David praises God for His mercy and rescue. This psalm speaks of God pulling David from the brink of ruin, while also speaking of God's righteous judgment. This was likely composed in response to the plague which struck Israel when David took an improper census (1 Chronicles 21:7–14). For believers, the Lord's discipline is temporary, but His love is eternal. Because David has been rescued, he can continue to praise God and worship His name.

Chapter Context:

This psalm of David magnifies the Lord's attribute of omnipotence. David draws pictures from nature to illustrate God's power. The psalm parallels Psalm 8 in its revelation of God through nature. Based on the imagery, David may have witnessed a potent thunderstorm moving from the Mediterranean Sea across the region. The theme of trust in God, thanks to His demonstrated power, is common in Scripture (Hebrews 11).

Book Summary:

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

To help you all and myself get a full understanding of the Book of Psalms, I am going back to the beginning of Psalms, and including an explanation of each Chapter I have read.

And just as some of the current explanation of the Psalms having the Scripture links, and some won’t, so will these reposted ones have the same. Again, this will help you all dig deep into your study of the Book of Psalm. I will redo Psalms 1 to Psalms 43. I will post Psalms 30 today, with Psalms 82.

I think it is a great idea to go back and study Psalms 1 to Psalms 43 with the explanation. Because the ones with the explanation will give you a detailed explanation of each Psalm.

I want to show that the people in the days of Psalms, also had questions for God and they expressed them – they poured out their hearts to God. God knows how we feel in our hearts when we are hard pressed down by the things of life – GOD LOVES US NO MATTER WHAT (Romans 8)!! 

And God wants us to come to HIM and CAST ALL those CARES, things upon Him, just like the people in the Psalms. GOD CARES FOR US (1 Peter 5:7)!!

As we see from the Psalms, NO MATTER WHAT David faced, he PRAISED, THANKED, AND WORSHIPPED GOD!! NOT that he was glad he was going through, but he TRUSTED that GOD WOULD rescue him, and bring him through WHATEVER he faced; David remembered that GOD had brought him through every time in the past!! Therefore, let us each day, as we read these Psalms, do as David did, PRAISE, THANK, AND WORSHIP GOD for HIS GOODNESS to us!!

There is ALWAYS something we can look back at, and see how GOD, our ABBA, has brought us out of!! And we can look at our present lives, and see GOD bringing us out of something every day!!

GOD IS A GOOD. GOOD, GOOD FATHER to us; HE takes GREAT care of us!!

Questions:

1. In today’s Psalm, do you see what David is praising God for, being thankful to God for, or worshiping God for?

2. Today, what are YOU praising God for, thankful to God for, or worshipping God for?

Just as before, I pray the explanation of each Chapter of the Book of Psalms, is a BLESSING to you all as you all dive deeper into the Word of God this year!!

And don’t forget to pray as you study this material, asking Holy Spirit to give you all the revelational knowledge YOU NEED, to transform your life from the inside out!! I pray this year will be your BEST year ever!! Stay walking hand in hand with our loving Heavenly Father, our ABBA, ALWAYS acknowledging Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in the way you should go daily, not going your own way, and be a disciple of Jesus, not a fan, then you won’t go wrong!!

Click Here for PDF Version of “Psalms 30 Explained!!”

Click Here for PDF Version of “Links to Psalms 1 to 29 Explained!!”

God’s BLESSINGS to you all and your families!!

In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks