Psalm 30

Psalm 30: Joy in the morning

David T, Keila, and Raquel present (not Carrie)

The Psalms were a primary instruction tool for ancient Israel.

Therefore, it should be no surprise that 263 of the times that the New Testament quotes the Old Testament, 116 of them are from the Psalms. (44%)

The New Testament authors were deeply invested in the Psalms.

The Psalms were written over a 1,000-year period, from Moses to Ezra, and became the hymnal for temple worship. After the exile to Babylon, Psalms were sung in synagogues and in the early church gatherings.

Not everyone in ancient Israel could read, but the Levites (pastors, priests) were instructed to teach God’s Law to everyone. Sermons and songs are how they did it. Psalms covers the full range of human emotion. If the Law points people to God, Psalms points human hearts to God (which, as we saw in I Tim. 1, is more important).

The Psalms are inspired in two parts.

The poet (e.g. David) is inspired

The Levites who compiled the Psalms (this song is in, this song is out).

*The final editors of a book like Psalms or Proverbs is called a redactor. We believe that the redactors of the Bible were inspired, that is, that the Holy Spirit guided the composition to correctly match God’s message.

The order of the Psalms, therefore, have important meaning. We usually look at or sing a psalm out of context. We’re about to do that now. But the Jews like Jesus sang them in order… or almost in order with some reserved for the holidays.

Jews sang them in order, so the meanings of the order were plain to people who sung them every Saturday for their whole lives.

In Psalm 28 David is in trouble…big trouble. The kind of trouble where you are losing a civil war and everyone wants you dead and you have no food or water. David wishes that the Lord take revenge on them. David says, “I will be like those going down to the Pit” (v.1), aka Sheol, aka he’s going to die if the Lord doesn’t smite someone soon!

Psalm 29 tells of the Lord’s mighty power. “The voice of the Lord is above the waters (death), The God of glory thunders—the Lord, above the vast water…The voice of the Lord flashes like flames of fire….the Lord sits enthroned , King forever.” You can feel the heat coming off those words. (Lesson on July 14th, 2019)

Psalm 30 tells of David’s deliverance. “Weeping may stay for a night, but there is joy in the morning!”

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Does God get angry at you?

When have you felt really safe?

Why is it easy to forget God’s power?

Psalm 30:title–5 CSB

A psalm; a dedication song for the house. Of David. I will exalt you, Lord, because you have lifted me up and have not allowed my enemies to triumph over me. Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you healed me. Lord, you brought me up from Sheol; you spared me from among those going down to the Pit. Sing to the Lord, you his faithful ones, and praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor, a lifetime. Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning.

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Psalm 30:6–7 CSB

When I was secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” Lord, when you showed your favor, you made me stand like a strong mountain; when you hid your face, I was terrified.

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Psalm 30:8–12 CSB

Lord, I called to you; I sought favor from my Lord: “What gain is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your truth? Lord, listen and be gracious to me; Lord, be my helper.” You turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, so that I can sing to you and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.