Psalm 30 1

Psalm 30:1 kjv

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

Psalm 30:1 nkjv

A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the house of David. I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me.

Psalm 30:1 niv

A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David. I will exalt you, LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

Psalm 30:1 esv

I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

Psalm 30:1 nlt

I will exalt you, LORD, for you rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.

Psalm 30 verses

Psalm 30 1 Meaning

Psalm 30:1 bursts forth with profound praise and thanksgiving, directly addressing the Lord (Yahweh). The psalmist, traditionally King David, expresses overwhelming gratitude for God's personal and decisive intervention, which pulled him out of a dire, life-threatening situation. The essence of the praise stems from two related actions by God: His act of "lifting me up" from extreme peril, and His protective act of preventing his adversaries from celebrating his downfall. This verse encapsulates a journey from deep distress to restoration, culminating in a declaration of God's powerful faithfulness and ultimate vindication.

Psalm 30 1 Context

Psalm 30 is titled "A Psalm. A Song at the Dedication of the House of David." This superscription is highly significant, suggesting a celebratory occasion for the completion and dedication of a stable dwelling or even metaphorically David's own secure dynasty. While the "house" could refer to David's palace (2 Sam 5:11; 7:2), it also carries broader implications of God's establishment and security for David's kingdom. The verse is widely interpreted in light of David's recovery from a life-threatening illness (alluded to in verses 2-3, 9-10), or a severe national or political crisis that endangered his position. Verse 1 immediately plunges into heartfelt gratitude, establishing the psalm's central theme: God's deliverance from grave peril and subsequent restoration, leading to an outpouring of public praise after a time of personal and national vulnerability.

Psalm 30 1 Word analysis

• I will extol: (Hebrew: 'aroməmekā) – Derived from the root רוּם (rum), meaning "to be high, to rise, to lift up." This term signifies an active, conscious decision to exalt God, to elevate His name and worthiness above all else. It's a declaration of God's supremacy in the psalmist's life and before the world.

• You, O Lord: (Hebrew: YHWH) – The personal, ineffable covenant name of God. Addressing Him by this name emphasizes the intimate, personal relationship between the psalmist and the all-powerful, faithful God of Israel. It asserts God's unique identity and exclusive claim as the source of salvation.

• for: (Hebrew: kī) – This conjunction directly links the act of praising (extolling) to the reason behind it. It grounds the psalmist's worship in concrete divine action, indicating that his praise is a grateful response to God's intervention.

• You have lifted me up: (Hebrew: dalîtanî) – From the root דלה (dalâ), which literally means "to draw out (water from a well/pit)" or "to pull up." This powerful metaphor vividly depicts the psalmist's former state as being in a deep, inescapable abyss—perhaps the pit of death, a grave-like sickness, or profound despair. God's action is portrayed as a forceful, active rescue, bringing him from the lowest point to safety and renewed life.

• And have not let: (Hebrew: wĕlo' natatāh) – Indicates God's deliberate prevention. This is not passive allowance but active, intentional divine action to restrain a negative outcome.

• my foes: (Hebrew: 'ôyəbāy) – Refers to those who are hostile, actively opposing, or seeking to cause harm and shame to the psalmist. Their presence underscores the severe threat from which God delivered.

• rejoice over me: (Hebrew: sāmeḥû-lî) – Means to take malicious pleasure in someone else's misfortune or downfall; to gloat. This highlights the intention of the enemies to publicly celebrate the psalmist's demise, viewing it as their triumph and a sign of God's abandonment. God's intervention specifically denied them this bitter satisfaction, thereby vindicating the psalmist.

• "I will extol You, O Lord": This phrase functions as a solemn, public vow. It's a deeply personal yet resolute declaration to magnify and praise the Lord—not for abstract reasons, but due to an intimate and personal experience of His saving power. It signifies a complete turning from a state of suffering to devoted worship.

• "for You have lifted me up": This core clause identifies the direct cause of the psalmist's profound gratitude. The imagery of "lifting" suggests rescue from extreme peril—a 'pit' or 'deep place' (often metaphorical for death or severe illness/affliction). This phrase encapsulates God's specific, sovereign act of salvation.

• "And have not let my foes rejoice over me": This specifies an essential aspect of God's deliverance: the prevention of the enemy's ultimate victory and gloating. For enemies to rejoice over one's fall was the ultimate disgrace, implying divine disapproval. By preventing this, God not only saved the psalmist's life but also preserved his honor and publicly validated his faith.

Psalm 30 1 Bonus section

The precise Hebrew phrasing of "I will extol You" ('aroməmekā) is a performative verb, indicating a resolute intention to act and publicly declare God's exaltation. It's a statement of ongoing, committed praise. The background of the "Dedication of the House of David" in the superscription infuses this individual thanksgiving with a broader implication for David's household, lineage, and kingship. David's personal restoration (from illness or danger) symbolized the divine preservation and re-establishment of his dynasty, showcasing God's covenantal faithfulness on both an individual and national level. This makes Psalm 30:1 a foundational expression of the security found in Yahweh, a secure "house" that no enemy or sickness can ultimately dismantle because God Himself is the ultimate lifter and protector. It positions the "house" (be it literal, personal, or dynastic) as fully dependent on, and consecrated to, the Lord.

Psalm 30 1 Commentary

Psalm 30:1 launches the entire psalm with a jubilant, declarative praise to Yahweh, rooted in the psalmist's immediate experience of miraculous deliverance. It conveys the fundamental truth that divine rescue leads directly to fervent worship. The psalmist acknowledges God's personal and direct action in "lifting him up," a powerful metaphor suggesting extraction from a seemingly inescapable abyss of affliction or death. The second half of the verse adds a crucial dimension: God's deliverance included the preservation of honor by frustrating the malicious intent of adversaries. This demonstrates God's dual action of saving His faithful and shaming their enemies. The verse, therefore, captures the essence of divine vindication, proclaiming that God’s steadfast love always triumphs over the transient nature of affliction and the fleeting triumph of the wicked. It transforms the potential shame of despair into a triumphant testimony of God's faithfulness, reminding believers that even the deepest valleys are merely staging grounds for God's glory to be revealed.

• Practical Examples:
  • After enduring intense persecution for faith, a believer declares: "I will extol You, Lord, for You lifted me from the trials' depths, not allowing the world to mock my trust!"
  • Someone freed from the spiritual "pit" of addiction joyfully exclaims: "I will extol You, O Lord, for You pulled me from bondage, and didn't let the schemes of the enemy rejoice over my continued downfall!"
  • A Christian community, recovering from a severe period of internal conflict, gratefully testifies: "We will extol You, O Lord, for You lifted our fellowship out of disunity, and prevented outsiders from rejoicing in our division!"