What does Psalm 30:9 mean?
Rather than plead to live, for life's sake, David expresses his desire to continue praising God. Death will stop him from worshipping God, at least on the earth. His remains would not be able to praise the Lord from the grave. He wants to tell of the Lord's faithfulness while he is alive. This seems to be part of David's prayer for leniency, after he sinned in his role as king (Psalm 30:1–3; 1 Chronicles 21:7–17).Three centuries later King Hezekiah made similar statements. He commented:
"In love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back. For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you; those who go down to the pit do not hope for your faithfulness. The living, the living, he thanks you" (Isaiah 38:17–19)David was mortal. He knew, one day, he would die, and his body would turn to dust. He wanted to live to be able to praise the Lord. Part of his appeal to God is his desire to continue ascribing glory to his Creator. The same inevitability of death applies to all people, even believers. Unless the rapture occurs in their lifetime, believers will die, and their bodies will turn to dust. Now is the time to praise the Lord and tell others about His faithfulness.
