David praiseth God for his deliverances: he exhorteth others to praise him by the example of God's dealing with him.
A Psalm and Song, at the dedication of the house of David.
Title. שׁיר מזמור mizmor shiir. A psalm and song, &c.— This excellent composition is well suited to the occasion on which it was penned: for nothing could be more proper than the recollection of the past conduct of Providence, amid the various changes of condition which had attended David, the numerous and dangerous distresses that had befallen him, and the deliverances which God had seasonably wrought out for him; till, at length, he was brought to the height of prosperity, when he saw Jerusalem well fortified, and her numerous buildings rising up under his hand, and his own palace magnificently finished for the residence of himself and family. This psalm is penned with great strength and elegance of diction, and the sentiments of piety in it are truly noble and instructive. The manner in which he describes the interpositions of God's favour, and the gratitude of his own heart, is warm, sententious, and affecting; the periods being short, generally without the connective particles, and answering to the events which crowded fair one after another, and the various affections which inspired him. Nor should the excellent design of it be forgotten; which is to put men in mind of the folly and vanity of that presumption which causes them to forget themselves, and fondly depend on the continuance of their external prosperity; and to shew them, that when their expectations of this kind are highest, they may then be nearest to a severe disappointment by a sudden reverse of their circumstances, in order more effectually to convince them, that, as all their prosperity is originally from God, the continuance of it depends solely on his favour. And, on the other hand, we are instructed, that all the afflictions of life are under a divine direction; that we should never despair, but should apply ourselves to God, when exercised with them, by frequent supplication, and hope in his mercy, who can and will deliver us out of them, if, upon the whole, it be necessary to promote our best and highest happiness. Dr. Chandler.
At the dedication of the house of David— The original word חנכה chanukkah signifies to initiate, or the first use which is made of any thing. It was common, when any person had finished a house and entered into it, to celebrate it with great rejoicings, and keep a festival, to which his friends were invited, and to perform some religious ceremonies to procure the protection of heaven. See Deuteronomy 20:5.
Psalms 30:1. Thou hast lifted me up— Or, Thou hast drawn me up. The verb דלה dalah is used in its original meaning, to denote the reciprocating motion of the buckets of a well; one descending as the other rises, and vice versa; and it is here applied, with admirable propriety, to point out the various reciprocations and changes of David's fortunes, as described in this psalm, as to prosperity and adversity; and particularly that gracious reverse of his afflicted condition which he now celebrates, God having raised him up to great honour and prosperity; for, having built his palace, he perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom, for his people Israel's sake. 2 Samuel 5:12 and see Schultens on Proverbs 20:5 and Chandler.