Thursday, August 22 – Psalms 30, 108

1. In what condition does David find himself in Psalm 30, and what is the reason for his joy? Psalms 30:1-3

2. What does the psalmist mean when he declares, “Is it not You, O God, who cast us off?” Psalms 108:11 (NKJV)

Commentary and Reflection:

Although Psalms 30 and 108 are classified among the “psalms of praise,” it is easy to notice that they were written in a context of vulnerability and distress. Unsurprisingly, these psalms are ones in which David expresses many feelings as they narrate critical moments in his life.

In the case of Psalm 30, David begins by exalting God and praising Him because He has lifted him. Undoubtedly, the Lord is already exalted, but now David exalts Him in his thoughts and praise. His worship is in response to God rescuing him from the gates of death. Psalm 30:1-3 (NKJV) says, “I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.” With this, David’s enemies have been silenced (verse 1). So, David has a double reason to exalt the Lord: he has been healed, and his enemies have been confounded.

Another essential detail is the declaration in verse 2, “O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.” David cries out in desperation to the God he knows and listens to—a personal God who is attentive to his needs and does not hesitate to heal and restore him.

Amid his illness, he felt alone, abandoned by God, and mocked by his enemies, but in the least expected moment, he experienced the power and grace of the Lord in his life. This is why the psalmist declares with great confidence, “O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit” (verse 3).

The reason for praise does not lie in the absence of illness but in God’s faithfulness. David cries out, waits, and subsequently experiences God’s healing power. Psalm 30, therefore, teaches that no matter what situation we are going through, God always has control over our lives.

In the case of Psalm 108, the words of this psalm were written after a setback or amid a struggle, but also after a divine promise. Psalm 108:7 (NKJV) says, “God has spoken in His holiness: ‘I will rejoice; I will divide Shechem and measure out the Valley of Succoth.'”

We can see that David has mixed feelings. On the one hand, he is sure of God’s promises (verses 7-9), but seeing that these promises are not fulfilled in the time he wants, he struggles with the idea that the Lord has abandoned him. Psalm 108:11-12 (NKJV) says, “Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless.” The idea of abandonment was something the psalmist himself could not sustain for long, which is why he concludes that only by trusting in the promise of divine protection will the people obtain victory.

He wants to communicate that the Word of God can sustain us and cause us to rejoice in times of distress.

Both psalms (30; 108) were written in moments of great distress, but they are still songs of praise and gratitude. Possibly, like David, you find yourself today struggling between two thoughts: believing in the Lord’s promises or thinking He has abandoned you. But these experiences of the psalmist remind us once again that God is faithful.

These psalms are for you if you feel sick, weak, vulnerable, or hopeless. In them, you will find someone like you who, amid trials and illnesses, found peace and security in God.

Decide today to allow yourself to trust and depend on God.