Studies in the psalms - Psalm 30

Many of us know the pain of being in a storm of life that was born out of someone else’s sin. There are consequences to sin and the choices we make often affect others, as well as ourselves. But what happens when it is our own sin that has brought consequences to those around us? Psalm 30 was written by David and quite possibly was composed at the time David brought down a national plague from God due to his disobedience in numbering the people. Read 2 Samuel 24 where you will see that it was David’s sin that brought death to 70,000 men. Imagine the weight of sorrow on David’s heart.

What do we do when our sin has brought pain and suffering to not only ourselves, but to those around us? We do as David did; we go to God in humility and confess. We cry out for His mercy. 

2 Samuel 24:17
Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father’s house.”

Then we lift our hands in praise to God, for His mercy and grace are beyond our understanding.

Psalm 30:4-5
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.  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.

God does discipline us when we sin against Him. But He will also restore our joy when we simply repent and turn back to Him. Listen to David’s plea.

Psalm 30:8-10
To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: “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? Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!”

If you are in the place where you have sinned against God, follow the plea of David. Learn from the mistakes and let God be your teacher. Then praise Him for He is a merciful God. Be thankful for the discipline He gives is out of love and for your good.

Heed the advice of Paul who wrote this in Hebrews 12:3-14

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.  In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.  For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”  It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,  and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.  Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Do this and you will echo the words of David in the morning.

Psalm 30:11-12

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,  that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

-->

Thanks be to God, the Father of all mercy and grace.