Psalms 30:4,5 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

He Calls For All The People To Join With Him In His Gratitude (Psalms 30:4-5).

Psalms 30:4-5

Sing praise to YHWH, O you holy ones of his,

And give thanks to the memorial of his holiness.

For his anger is but for a moment,

His favour offers life.

Weeping may tarry for the night,

But joy comes in the morning.

He is so grateful to God for his deliverance that he calls on all the people who are true to God (His holy ones) to give thanks with him. The ‘memorial of His holiness' may well be the Ark which was seen as the throne of YHWH and the place of reconciliation. But only because it was itself seen as drawing attention to the power and glory of YHWH. Or it may be the Most Holy Place itself, which could not be entered (except on the Day of Atonement) because the holiness of YHWH was represented there. In either case, however, he was looking beyond it to the heaven of heavens where God was enthroned in glory in His holiness (1 Kings 8:27; Isaiah 57:15).

Verse Psalms 30:5 a is literally, ‘For a moment in His anger, life in His favour,' signifying that His true people may ‘experience His chastising anger for a moment when they have sinned, but that in the end those who are ‘in His favour' will enjoy life'. Here was a first foundation for the future promise of eternal life. And while the night time may bring weeping, the morning will undoubtedly bring joy. That is the lot of all who are truly His. He is giving praise for God's continuing faithfulness and care for His own (compare Hebrews 12:11).

Psalms 30:4-5

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

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