Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

The title of this Psalm tells what it is. The Psalmist praiseth God for his goodness, and he calleth upon others to do the same from the same cause.

A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David.

Psalms 30:1

The dedication of David's house leads to the spiritual sense of this blessed scripture. The temple, or house, is a type of the body of Jesus. Our authority for this interpretation we find in the Apostle James (Acts 15:16), who expressly, in so many words, determines the repair of David's tabernacle to be altogether a type of the ever blessed Jesus at his resurrection. So that here we are at no loss to discover Jesus thus extol ling God the Father for that illustrious event. And with this clue, we shall find sweet discoveries of Jesus praising and blessing God for his own victory over all the foes of his salvation, and his people's victory in him. Reader, pray for grace to keep this in remembrance, while perusing this Psalm; and then if through faith we are raised from the death of sin, through him, we shall feel our own personal interest in all that is here said concerning him, in whom we triumph.

How beautiful are these expressions, if applied to the Lord Jesus Christ? Here the subject was altogether real. David, and all other men, delivered from the snare of the enemy, may be said to be kept, in a figurative way, from the grave and the pit. But of none could this be really and truly said, but of Christ at his resurrection. And, Reader, do not forget to connect with it all his redeemed, from the interest they bear in his resurrection. He was the first fruits. 1 Corinthians 15:20.

Here again, what a personal application this hath to the saints of his. Resurrection to them is among the highest of their triumphs. But our Lord Jesus Christ himself makes this a glorious event only to them. He saith, indeed, that the hour is coming, when all that are in their graves shall come forth: But he adds a solemn conclusion, to those that die out of Christ: John 5:28-29. The sorrows of a night, and the anger of a moment, are beautifully contrasted to the everlasting day of light and joy. Isaiah 54:7-8.

The children of God have a chequered state, and feel the changes. And, no doubt, with an eye to the wilderness condition of God's people, these things are said. They who live in a moveable tent will not have always the same plain ground, or the same favourable aspect.

Jesus's strong crying and tears were so important a part in his mission, that the Holy Ghost seems to be directing the church to keep them continually in view. And he generally blends with them the triumphs of Jesus in his songs. Probably that these two grand features concerning Christ, which were prophesied of him, should be remembered, - the sufferings of Christ, and the glory which should follow. Never was that scripture more applicable to the members of Christ's body, than to the Head: 'They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy.' Psalms 126:5-6; 1 Peter 1:11.

REFLECTIONS

READER, let us behold our glorious Head in this beautiful Psalm, and then, in his name, we also shall set up our banners. When he had by himself purged our sins, and when, by the sacrifice of himself once offered, he had forever perfected them that are sanctified, think how highly the Father exalted him, and, as our glorious Mediator, gave him a name, which is above every name. Hail, thou risen, holy, exalted, high, and glorious Saviour. We bow the knee before thee, and with joy confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. And now, Lord, in thy light, shall we see light. Beholding thy personal triumphs, and feeling, by the sweet constraining tokens of thy love and grace, how highly we bear a part in all that concerns thee, we begin already the Song in thee, and extol our God and King, who hath delivered us from the pit wherein is no water, and will bring us from the grave of death, to a joyful resurrection, when the Lord shall come to gather his saints together, and to be admired in all them that believe. And although, while going home to our Father's home, we meet with a chequered path in the way, yet the everlasting day, which hath no night, is hastening. Heaviness may endure for the night, but ere long all heaviness will be done away. The Lord himself is our everlasting light, and our God our glory.