What does Psalm 30:3 mean?

David credits the Lord for rescuing him from death. Shortly before the temple site was dedicated (Psalm 30:1; 1 Chronicles 22:1; 2 Chronicles 3:1), God punished David by sending a plague on Israel (1 Chronicles 21:7–14). When David begged for mercy, God granted it (1 Chronicles 21:15–17). Even that harsh punishment was an alternative to David being defeated by his mortal enemies.

The imagery here is like that of a bucket being pulled out of a well; God has "drawn [David] up" (Psalm 30:1) out of death itself. This reference to death as "the pit" resembles David's words in Psalm 28:1.

Forgiveness for a believer is as near as a sincere, humble prayer of confession. First John 1:9 promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." In another infamous incident, David felt conviction over his sin of adultery, experiencing spiritual and emotional pain (Psalm 32:3–4). That lasted until he confessed his sin and received forgiveness and restoration. He writes in Psalm 32:1–2: "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit."