Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 30

This individual thanksgiving psalm begins by praising the Lord for his salvation (Psalm 30:1–3). It then contrasts God's favor with his anger (Psalm 30:4–7) and ends with a transformation from mourning to dancing (30:8–12).

The psalmist praises God for his victory over difficult circumstances, comparing it to being saved from death.

• I will exalt You is a call to praise and thank the Lord (Psalms 34:3; 81:1; 99:5, 9; 107:32; 118:28; 145:1; see Exodus 15:1; Isaiah 25:1).

• You have lifted me up: God saved the psalmist from death (Psalm 30:3).

• God, in his justice and care, did not let the psalmist’s enemies win (see Psalms 26:9; 27:12; 28:3; 31:8).

Perhaps David wrote this psalm before the dedication of the temple, making his own experience representative of the nation’s.

The godly should celebrate the Lord’s acts of rescue with song and praise (Psalms 33:21; 97:12; 103:1; 105:3; 145:21).

• I will never be shaken: The psalmist admits his overconfident attitude (compare Psalm 32:3–4).

• my mountain stand strong: In the psalms, this phrase powerfully symbolizes stability and God's control (see Psalms 11:1; 18:7; 36:6; 46:2; 72:3; 76:4; 83:14; 97:5; 114:4, 6; 125:2).

• I was dismayed: The absence of God’s favor destroys the security of the proud (compare Psalm 104:27–30).

The psalmist faced death (also in Psalm 30:1–3), either literally or figuratively. When he turned to the Lord, the Lord rescued him and changed his mourning into joyful dancing. Only God's favor can permanently and powerfully overcome human failure and deep despair.