Psalm 30:3

ESV O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

NIV You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.

NASB Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit.

CSB Lord, you brought me up from Sheol; you spared me from among those going down to the Pit.

NLT You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death.

KJV O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

NKJV O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

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."

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Context Summary
Psalm 30:1–5 opens by praising the Lord. David recalls God's forgiveness and healing, allowing him to live. He calls upon the righteous to praise and thank the Lord. David also reflects upon the brevity of the Lord's anger. Although the Lord disciplined and therefore David wept through the night, his joy soon returned when the discipline ended. For the believer, God's rebuke is temporary, but His love is eternal.

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Chapter Summary
David praises God for His mercy and rescue. This psalm speaks of God pulling David from the brink of ruin, while also speaking of God's righteous judgment. This was likely composed in response to the plague which struck Israel when David took an improper census (1 Chronicles 21:7–14). For believers, the Lord's discipline is temporary, but His love is eternal. Because David has been rescued, he can continue to praise God and worship His name.

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