Psalm 30: A Little Discipline, A Lot of Love
Introduction
Growing up my dad gave me a bunch of spankings; I only remember one or two of them. But my dad also threw the football with me after work, made sure we ate supper as a family, taught me how to work on the weekends, and brought me to church on Sundays. Because my dad tried to make all of life a joy for me and my family, I now understand those moments of discipline as moments of love. Good fathers love like God the father. He disciplines a little because He loves a lot.
The Passage
A Psalm; a Song at the Dedication of the House. A Psalm of David. I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my enemies rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. O Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. Now as for me, I said in my prosperity, “I will never be moved.” O Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong; You hid Your face, I was dismayed. To You, O Lord, I called, And to the Lord I made supplication: “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness? “Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me; O Lord, be my helper.” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30
Explanation of the Passage
The superscription says this was sung at the dedication of David’s house. I agree with Calvin that the best option is after David returned to Jerusalem after Absalom’s rebellion. David entered a season of pride later in his life (e.g., 2 Sam 11). The time of confidence (v. 6) likely refers to the pride in David’s heart before Absalom’s rebellion. When Absalom rebelled, David had to leave Jerusalem (2 Sam 15). While David was gone, Absalom defiled David’s house (2 Sam 16:22). David and Absalom were both proud, but David was loved by God, which meant God disciplined David for his pride. Throughout this entire season, God taught David humility. Likely David wrote this Psalm around his return to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 19).
This Psalm has four parts. First, David praises God for rescuing him (vv. 1-3). Second, David invites the congregation to praise God too (vv. 4-5). Third, David confesses his pride (vv. 6-10). Finally, David exchanges his grief for joy (vv. 11-2). David’s thanksgiving invites corporate praise, confesses presumption, and grows to dancing. Thanksgiving for the Lord’s grace results in corporate praise, confession of pride, and redeemed joy. We will look at each of the four parts.
Thank God for deliverance (Ps 30:1-3)
David praised God for exalting him when he was low, protecting him when enemies attacked him, helping him when he cried, healed him when he was afflicted, and keeping him alive when he was close to death. Although David’s points are general, His thanks are still real.
David remembered his afflictions. David also remembered God’s answers to his prayers. This shows us one reason we should rejoice in our afflictions.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2–4
Do you remember that time you were terribly sad? Do you remember when you felt alone or attacked and slandered? Do you remember that sickness, diagnosis, surgery that scared you? Do you remember praising God for getting you through those?
Invite the Saints to Praise (Ps 30:4-5)
David invites the congregation to join his song of thanksgiving (v. 4). The theme of the song is God only chastises for a moment but gives favor for a lifetime (v. 5). David invites the “godly ones” to sing with him. The word for “godly ones” could be translated “covenant-love people.” Hesed is translated covenant love, covenant faithfulness, lovingkindness in various translations of the Bible. The main idea behind the word is a deep well of love and compassion protected by covenant and loyalty. God created a bond to connect himself to His people. Now, that people are called “His people” or “His godly ones.” His name is on them.
The ministry of the church is not listening to the professional sing for us, but for everyone to join in praising God. When we boldly sing together, that also praises God. Church worship is not relying on Jennie or Kathy to sing for you; it’s worshipping as the church, as God’s holy people. Holiness means we must approach God like we know Him, not like we’re awkward acquaintances.
Confess sins of presumption (Ps 30:6-10)
God is not as concerned about you reputation as you are. He would gladly ruin your reputation to save your soul (Matt 5:11). God is not as concerned about your comfort as you are. He would gladly give you some hardship to grow you.
David said in his prosperity that he would never be moved, but it was only by God’s favor that Zion was strong (vv. 6-7). When God hid His face from David, he was silenced (v. 7). It was only after asking God for help was David delivered from near death (vv. 8-10).
In God’s world, He graciously gives good gifts, and we receive them by faith. God, gifts, faith. Presumption is when we take God out of the mix, so our faith is in the constancy of the gift, not God. We forget that we are in a covenant relationship with God. That means we have a responsibility—believe God.
Presumption is when a father trusts in church and school to train his child instead of God’s promises to him. Presumption is when a lawn man trusts the nice ladies he works for to pay him even though he neglects working as unto the Lord. What makes presumption a dangerous form of pride to fall into is that it surrounds itself with excuses and past accomplishments.
David’s prayer shows humility and passionate argumentation. “Will the dust praise you ( v. 9)?” The great Puritan Thomas Watson once said, “Prayer that is likely to prevail with God must be argumentative. God loves to have us plead with him and overcome him with arguments in prayer.”
The solution is simple. Trust God again. Turn to Him humbly. Confess where you were proud and humbly obey Him where you’ve assumed. His spanking lasts for a few seconds, but his belly laughs and ice cream sandwiches last forever.
Exchange Grief for joy (Ps 30:11-12)
Because God answered and showed grace, David can exchange his mourning for dancing (v. 11). God moved David from silence to song so David will thank God forever (v. 12).
Conclusion
Sing louder than you cry. Dance longer than you grieve (Ps 30:11-12). Here’s what it looks like when we’re moving in the right direction. We grieve like Christians. We have biblical funerals. We prepare ourselves for death and the grave. We prepare our families for death and the grave. We also find reasons to celebrate. It’s Christmas, let’s party. It’s Easter, let’s party! Someone is graduating from kindergarten, let’s party. We learn skills to celebrate better. Someone learns the fiddle so we can dance in the fellowship hall while another person learns how to barbecue on one of those Brazilian grills.