Psalms 30:4

THE PEOPLE WERE INVITED TO JOIN THE THANKSGIVING

Indeed, they would certainly have done so. The sin of their king was responsible for the death of 70,000 in a single day; and the good news that God had forgiven the king was certainly the very best news possible for the people.

"Sing praise unto Jehovah, O ye saints of his.

And give thanks to his holy memorial name.

For his anger is but for a moment;

His favor is for a lifetime:

Weeping may tarry for the night,

But joy cometh in the morning."

"O ye saints of his" (Psalms 30:4). These were the faithful Israelites who were keepers of God's covenant.

"Thanks to his memorial name" (Psalms 30:4). "This is, `The equivalent of, `Give thanks to his holy name."[7] The KJV rendition here is, "Give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness"; and Adam Clarke's comment of more than one hundred fifty years ago appears to us as applicable today as it was when he wrote it.

"Most so-called Christians hate the doctrine of holiness, never hear it mentioned without pain; and the principal part of their studies, and that of their pastors, is to find out with how little holiness they can rationally expect to enter heaven. O fatal and soul-destroying delusion!"[8]

"Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalms 30:5). This means, `Sorrow may stay all night, but tomorrow is a happier day.' This whole verse contrasts God's momentary displeasure with his favor all the days of life.

The Anchor Bible has a very interesting rendition of Psalms 30:5, as follows:

"For death is in his anger, life eternal in his favor; In the evening one falls asleep crying, but at dawn there are shouts of joy."[9]

"This sequence is not a contrast between life and death, but rather a contrast between death which is inevitable, and eternal life which will follow. The psalmist is confident eternal life will follow; and this conviction finds expression in numerous texts of the Psalter."[10]