Psalm 30:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

NIV: You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

NASB: You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have untied my sackcloth and encircled me with joy,

CSB: You turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

NLT: You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,

KJV: Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

NKJV: You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

David credits the Lord with ending his sadness and restoring his joy. This implies that God granted David's prior requests for forgiveness (Psalm 30:8–10) for his presumptuous arrogance (Psalm 30:1–7).

Sackcloth was a rough, loose garment made of goat's hair. The texture is somewhat like burlap, another material known for its rough texture. Sackcloth, like burlap, was often used to make coarse bags. Wearing such cloth was a visual sign of mourning. The uncomfortable experience was also a constant reminder of the tragic event, much as fasting produces a persistent feeling—hunger—keeping the person's mind on the reason for the fast. Jacob put on sackcloth and mourned when he believed his son Joseph had been devoured by a ferocious animal (Genesis 37:33–34). David had worn sackcloth when the Lord disciplined him, but forgiveness and restoration had given way to rejoicing.

Embracing forgiveness results in a profound change in our attitude. The story of the Prodigal Son illustrates what happens when a wayward child of God repents and receives forgiveness. The hedonistic son turned from his sinful manner of life and returned to his father. His father promptly forgave him; great rejoicing followed (Luke 15:11–24). A Christian may rebel and sow his wild oats, but he experiences conviction of sin and unhappiness until he turns from his sin and receives forgiveness.

Psalm 30:11–12 follows David's prayers for mercy and healing. The Lord answered his prayer, so David rejoices and exchanges his attitude of grief for gladness. He determines to praise the Lord and to thank Him forever. The psalm ends as it began: with praise and thanksgiving.

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.

Psalm 30 is a song of praise for merciful deliverance. King David sinned by taking a census against God's wishes, resulting in God's discipline. The Lord could have let David fall to his enemies, but instead sent a plague on Israel (1 Chronicles 21:7–14). The pestilence was cut short as David begged for leniency (1 Chronicles 21:15–17). Shortly after this, David set aside the future site of the temple (1 Chronicles 22:1; 2 Chronicles 3:1). That dedication seems to be the setting for Psalm 30.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.