DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 30 David praises God for his deliverance which arises from his mercy and his forgiveness; and he encourages others to hope in the LORD when the LORD chastises them. The superscription of the Psalm says that the occasion for the Psalm was the "dedication of the house of David." Commentators are divided about the meaning of "the house of David." Some believe that it refers to David's personal house. Others believe that it refers to the house of the LORD (the Temple) for which David began to gather materials after he purchased and dedicated the Temple Mount from Araunah. Various elements in the Psalm fit one or the other occasion. For further information, check the commentaries below.
     Today's painting depicts joy in the morning arising from the favor of the King. This is what David encouraged his readers to wait for from God, their King (verse 5).

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 2 Samuel 5:11-12. 2 Samuel 7:2. 2 Samuel 24. 1 Chronicles 21. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 30 - #1. Psalm 30 - #2. Psalm 30 - #3. ]

     David praises the LORD for lifting him up and not allowing his foes to rejoice over him. He cried out to God; and God healed him. This may have reference to some deadly disease from which the LORD delivered David; but we have no record of such a disease. It seems more likely, however, that the LORD delivered him from a deadly threat from his enemies, metaphorically described as a disease. Whatever the case, the LORD delivered David from the grave (1-3). So David addressed his readers, telling them to sing to the LORD and to give thanks for his holiness. He encouraged them to realize that the LORD's anger endures but a moment. He gives life; and he replaces weeping with joy in the morning (4-5). David then offers himself as a negative example. He admits that he had been overconfident. When things went well he thought he would never be moved. But it was the LORD who caused him to stand; and, when the LORD hid his face, David was troubled. But he cried out to the LORD, asking what profit would it be to the LORD if he died and was unable to praise God and declare his truth (6-10). The LORD heard this prayer and turned his morning into dancing. So David put off his sackcloth and put on gladness. And David therefore promised to sing praise to Him and to give Him thanks forever (11-12).

I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
² O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
³ O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

⁴ Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
⁵ For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

⁶ And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
⁷ LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
⁸ I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
⁹ What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
¹⁰ Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.

¹¹ Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
¹² To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

¹ To the chief Musician, [Transposed From Psalm 31:1] *

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]