Psalm of Thanksgiving
Psalm 30:1 ¶ A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David. I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. 3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit. 4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name. 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6 ¶ When I felt secure, I said, "I shall never be shaken." 7 O LORD, when you favoured me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. 8 To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: 9 "What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help." 11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks for ever. (NIV)
I. FOR DELIVERANCE - Vs. 1-3
A. Lifted up (like water from a well) from enemies - v. 1
1. Sin & guilt overburden the weary soul - Psa. 63:1
2. Only God can remove the burden - Psa. 51:1-4
B. His need realized - v. 2
1. So turned to the only true source of help - Ax. 4:12
2. Note; effectiveness of prayer - 1 Th. 5:16-18
C. From the great peril of the pit (death) - v. 3
II. A SUMMONS TO ALL MEN - vs. 4-5
A. Praise God’s character (Holy) - v. 4
1. Basis of punishment - Lev. 19:2, 4; Josh. 23:16
2. Basis of pardon (now for all men) - Isa. 48:9
B. Praise Him for His compassion - v. 5
1. Help came swiftly - Psa. 86:5
2. Realize the "night" of sorrow is temporary but joy goes on
III. SPARKED MEMORY OF PRIDE - vs. 6-7
A. What he had felt - v. 6
1. Uninterrupted good fortune = peril to soul - Ps. 10:6
2. This world = sworn enemy of that world.
a. Don’t sell soul for comforts of this life
b. Let us awaken from our proud "security blanket"
B. What he had forgotten - v. 7 a
1. Prosperity is ALL undeserved favor from God
2. That real, worthwhile strength is ONLY in God
C. Brings need for divine chastening - v. 7 b; Heb. 12:6
IV. HIS PRAYERFUL APPROACH - vs. 8-10
A. Feeling of utter helplessness - Jonah 2:1-2
B. Understanding futility of life - v. 9
1. How many praises do you hear from a graveyard?
2. Despair of routine of life - Job 7:1-4
C. His application - v. 10
1. Abandon all confidence in self - Lk. 9:23
2. Earnestly cast self upon the Lord’s mercy - Gen. 32:10 a
V. THE PROCLAMATION - vs. 11-12
A. His life was dramatically different
1. God changes the night to day (within) - Gal. 2:20
2. God removes the garments of sorrow (without) - 2 Cor. 5:15
B. God’s constant care prompts abundant thanksgiving - v. 12
1. For His lovingkindness & faithfulness - Psa. 100:4-5
2. So tell others too - Psa. 105:1
3. As partakers of the greatest feast - Col. 1:12-13
