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Psalm 30
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: You Lifted Me UpVerses 1 to 3
"I will exalt You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up" (30:1).
To exalt means to lift up in praise. God lifted David, so David lifts up God.
"O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me" (30:2).
God pulled him back from the edge of death.
1A Psalm. A song for the dedication of the temple. Of David. I will exalt You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up and have not allowed my foes to rejoice over me. 2O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. 3O LORD, You pulled me up from Sheol; You spared me from descending into the Pit.
Section 2: Joy in the MorningVerses 4 to 5
David invites everyone to sing with him.
"For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime" (30:5).
Fleeting means it passes quickly.
"Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning" (30:5).
4Sing to the LORD, O you His saints, and praise His holy name. 5For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Section 3: When You Hid Your FaceVerses 6 to 10
When life was good, David felt unshakable.
"When You hid Your face, I was dismayed" (30:7).
So he begged God for mercy. If I die, he asked, who will praise you?
"Hear me, O LORD, and have mercy; O LORD, be my helper" (30:10).
6In prosperity I said, “I will never be shaken.” 7O LORD, You favored me; You made my mountain stand strong. When You hid Your face, I was dismayed. 8To You, O LORD, I called, and I begged my Lord for mercy: 9“What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness? 10Hear me, O LORD, and have mercy; O LORD, be my helper.”
Section 4: Mourning Into DancingVerses 11 to 12
"You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy" (30:11).
Sackcloth was rough clothing people wore when they grieved.
"O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever" (30:12).
11You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever.
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