Psalm 30:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.

NIV: LORD, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.

NASB: Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong; You hid Your face, I was dismayed.

CSB: Lord, when you showed your favor, you made me stand like a strong mountain; when you hid your face, I was terrified.

NLT: Your favor, O Lord, made me as secure as a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.

KJV: LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.

NKJV: Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled.

This verse presents a contrast. Previously the Lord had favored David. Symbolically, David and his kingdom were like a massive mountain: immovable, unshakeable, and mighty. David's complacent attitude of self-confidence (Psalm 30:6) interrupted that blessing. The same king who felt like a mountain was crushed to realize God was displeased.

Most likely, David's thinking is focused on the plague God sent after David arrogantly numbered the people (1 Chronicles 21:7–17). The plague distressed David greatly. Second Samuel 24:10 reports, "But David's heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the LORD, 'I have sinned greatly in what I have done.'" And verse 14 tells us, "David said to Gad [a prophet], 'I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great.'" Sin is a hard taskmaster, and misery is part of its payment.

Previously in this psalm, David commented that even God's judgment is merciful; since His love for His people outlasts His anger at their sin (Psalm 30:5). The next verses might echo the way David prayed when he realized the gravity of his sin (Psalm 30:1–3).

Psalm 30:6–10 contains David's appeal for God's mercy. These words may have been his prayer when appealing to God for forgiveness over a sinful choice he made as king (1 Chronicles 21:7–17). He calls on the Lord, his helper, to be merciful to him. David frames his request as one who wants to live so he can continue to worship God.

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.