Christianity

Psalms 30Joy Comes in the Morning

Summary

Psalm 30 is a song of thanksgiving from someone brought back from the edge of death. The psalmist admits that in prosperity he thought he would never be moved, but when God hid his face he was troubled and cried out. God turned his mourning into dancing and clothed him with gladness. The heading calls it a song at the dedication of the house of David. Jews recite it in daily morning prayers and on Hanukkah.

Key verse

“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

Psalms 30:5

Themes

Thanksgiving
Healing
Mourning to Dancing
Humility in Prosperity

I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

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.

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

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

I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.

What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.

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

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Judaism
Tehillim 30 in the JPS 1917 Tanakh
This psalm, headed A Song at the Dedication of the House, opens the Pesukei Dezimra section of many Jewish morning services, and some communities read it on Hanukkah, the festival of the Temple's rededication.
Islam
Surah Ash-Sharh (94): Ease After Hardship
The Quran's promise that ease comes with hardship (94:5 to 6) parallels the psalm's assurance that joy follows a night of weeping.

Questions about Psalms 30

What house is dedicated in Psalm 30?

The heading mentions the dedication of the house, but which house is unclear. Suggestions include David's palace, the future Temple, or a later rededication; Jewish custom connects it with Hanukkah.

Where is weeping may endure for a night from?

It is Psalm 30:5, which contrasts God's brief anger with his lasting favor.