Joy Comes With The Morning Series

Introduction

Martin Luther was one of the most important figures of the Protestant Reformation.

Throughout his life, he experienced many serious health crises.

One of the most notable instances occurred in 1527, during a challenging period for him personally and professionally.

In the summer of 1527, Luther faced a grave illness during an outbreak of the plague in Wittenberg, Germany.

This period is significant because it was a time of Luther's physical suffering and intense spiritual struggle and reflection.

Luther described his illness as highly severe. He experienced debilitating symptoms, including high fevers, extreme weakness, and severe depression. He believed he was at death's door.

In his writings and correspondence from this period, Luther expressed profound fears about dying, leaving his family, and the future of the Reformation movement he had initiated.

During this time, Luther turned to God in prayer with great intensity.

He prayed for God's mercy and healing, not just for himself but also for his family and the people of Wittenberg affected by the plague.

His writings from this period reflect a deep reliance on God’s providence and a humble submission to God’s will.

Miraculously, Luther began to recover.

His health improved, and he could resume his work and ministry.

Luther attributed his recovery to God's grace, and he continued to emphasize the importance of prayer in his teaching.

His experience of suffering and recovery further deepened his theological reflections on the nature of faith, suffering, and divine providence.

Luther's recovery allowed him to continue his pivotal role in the Reformation, profoundly shaping the future of Christianity.

His experience during this illness taught him to thank God for answered prayer, especially for deliverance from death.

King David had a similar experience and wrote Psalm 30 as a result of his near-death experience.

Today, I will preach on Psalm 30, one of eight Thanksgiving Psalms in the Book of Psalms.

Thanksgiving Psalms often include an element of Lament because of some difficulty or circumstance. But the Psalm concludes with thanks and is, therefore, a Psalm of Thanksgiving.

The superscription of Psalm 30, which I remind you is part of the original text of Scripture, is as follows:

A PSALM OF DAVID. A SONG AT THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE.

David wrote Psalm 30. It is one of 73 Psalms in the Psalter that is attributed to David.

David wrote that Psalm 30 was “A SONG AT THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE.”

The word “TEMPLE” can also be translated as “dwelling house” or “palace.” The temple was not constructed until after David’s death, so it does not seem likely that this Psalm was sung at its dedication.

More likely, it was a song written at the time of the dedication of David’s palace.

However, the message of the Psalm is thanksgiving for answered prayer, especially for deliverance from death, as we shall see.

Scripture

Let’s read Psalm 30:1-12:

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

1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up

and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,

and you have healed me.

3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;

you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,

and give thanks to his holy name.

5 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.

6 As for me, I said in my prosperity,

“I shall never be moved.”

7 By your favor, O Lord,

you made my mountain stand strong;

you hid your face;

I was dismayed.

8 To you, O Lord, I cry,

and to the Lord I plead for mercy:

9 “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?

10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!

O Lord, be my helper!”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

you have loosed my sackcloth

and clothed me with gladness,

12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Lesson

Psalm 30:1-12 teaches believers to thank God for answered prayer, especially for deliverance from death.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. Thanksgiving for Personal Deliverance (30:1-3)

2. Invitation to Offer Thanks (30:4-5)

3. Confession of Sinful Pride (30:6-10)

4. Promise of Eternal Thanksgiving (30:11-12)

I. Thanksgiving for Personal Deliverance (30:1-3)

First, let’s note the thanksgiving for personal deliverance.

David begins Psalm 30 with these words in verses 1-3, “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.”