Weeping May Tarry for the Night – Psalm 30

Whether this psalm was used at the dedication of the Tabernacle with the ark of the covenant being set up in Jerusalem (the Tabernacle is called the temple on several occasions), or a psalm that David wrote and was later used for the permanent structure Solomon had built, it is not a psalm strictly about the temple.  It is about God and His dealings with His beloved people.  Once again the divine name Yahweh is used (noted in our text by LORD in all caps, whereas “Lord” in lower case letters translates adonai, or “Lord”).  Note, in verse 8, “To you, O Yahweh, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy.”

A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.  O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.  O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.  For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.”  By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.

To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:  “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit?  Will the dust praise you?  Will it tell of your faithfulness?  Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me!  O LORD, be my helper!”

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.  O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!  (Psalm 30 ESV)

When we come to worship God it is appropriate and helpful to recount the ways He has answered our prayers.  David needed healing, was near dying, and God rescued him.  God’s momentary anger was perhaps displeasure at David’s sin or what seemed anger in that God allowed David to experience suffering.  But David had been self-assured in his prosperity and needed to realize that God gives and God takes away our ability to stand.  There is no room for arrogance.  David’s plea with God was that in death he would not be able to praise God among his followers.  God responded and turned his mourning in sackcloth into songs of praise.

Knowing God does not mean we will experience no sorrow or trouble.  Yet, though weeping may wait around for the night, God’s rescue will bring joy in the morning.