Psalm 30 5

Psalm 30:5 kjv

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

Psalm 30:5 nkjv

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5 niv

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5 esv

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 30:5 nlt

For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 30 verses

Psalm 30 5 Meaning

Psalm 30:5 declares a fundamental truth about God's character, contrasting the temporal nature of His righteous displeasure with the eternal duration of His benevolent favor. It conveys a message of hope, stating that though periods of sorrow and difficulty (symbolized by "weeping" and "night") may occur, they are fleeting, inevitably giving way to overwhelming gladness and new beginnings (represented by "joy" and "morning") due to the unchanging abundance of God's steadfast love and gracious presence.

Psalm 30 5 Context

Psalm 30 is titled "A Psalm. A Song at the Dedication of the House. Of David." This suggests its origin either from a specific event in David's life concerning a dwelling (perhaps his palace, or later, a dedication anticipation for the temple) or as a psalm intended for a dedication ceremony. The broader context of the psalm reveals David's personal experience of divine deliverance from what appeared to be a fatal illness or a grave threat, bringing him to the brink of the pit (Ps 30:3). He acknowledges his pride that preceded his fall (Ps 30:6-7) and then his fervent cry to the Lord in distress (Ps 30:8-9). God's swift response and healing transformed his mourning into dancing and sackcloth into gladness (Ps 30:11-12). Thus, verse 5 serves as the theological underpinning and declaration for David's testimony: his temporary affliction was God's brief anger, giving way to an enduring life of favor and joy, echoing the transition from his near-death experience to restoration.

Psalm 30 5 Word analysis

• For His anger (אף - 'aph): 'Aph literally refers to the "nose" or "nostril," and by extension, "anger," particularly that which is quick to flare up, akin to a snorting sound of indignation. In the biblical worldview, God's anger is never capricious but is a righteous and holy response to sin and disobedience.
• is but for a moment (רֶגַע - rega): Rega means an "instant," a "twinkling of an eye," or a "flash." This emphasizes the extreme brevity and fleeting nature of God's anger compared to the vastness of eternity and His enduring character. It highlights that divine anger, while real and serious, is purposeful and temporal.
• His favor (רָצוֹן - ratzon): Ratzon conveys God's "delight," "will," "good pleasure," or "acceptance." It points to God's benevolent disposition, His desire to bless and be gracious. This favor is His constant, unchanging disposition towards those who seek Him, despite temporary episodes of discipline.
• is for a lifetime (חַיִּים - chayyim): Chayyim (plural of chai) means "life," often signifying "fullness of life," "vitality," "prosperity," and a sense of enduring, abundant existence. It suggests that God's favor is not fleeting but extends throughout one's earthly existence and into eternity, as contrasted with the brief "moment" of anger.
• Weeping (בְּכִי - beki): Beki denotes the act of "weeping" or "lamentation," a universal human expression of grief, sorrow, or distress. It encapsulates the experience of suffering and sorrow that feels overwhelming in the moment.
• may endure / lodge for a night (לָלִין - lalin): Lalin means "to lodge," "to stay overnight," or "to remain for the night." The Hebrew verb portrays sorrow not as a permanent resident but as a temporary guest. Just as night gives way to day, so sorrow is depicted as having a definitive, limited duration. This provides hope and frames affliction within a temporal context.
• but joy (רִנָּה - rinnah): Rinnah refers to a "ringing cry," a "shout of joy," "exultation," or a "singing" that comes from great relief, deliverance, or happiness. It's a loud, uncontainable expression of gladness, contrasting sharply with the quiet, solitary act of weeping.
• comes / arrives (יָבֹא - yavo): Yavo means "to come," "to arrive." It implies an assured coming, a certain arrival. It’s not a mere possibility, but a divine promise that joy will surely make its appearance.
• in the morning (לַבֹּקֶר - laboqer): Laboqer means "in the morning." In ancient Near Eastern thought and biblical typology, "morning" is highly significant. It represents new beginnings, revelation, divine intervention, resurrection, clarity after darkness, and the end of trials. The regular rhythm of day following night serves as a metaphor for God's faithfulness in turning sorrow into joy.

• "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime": This poetic parallelism functions as a direct antithesis. It reveals God's intrinsic nature to be gracious and kind, while His anger is a short-lived, responsive tool for correction, not a defining characteristic of His being. It establishes divine constancy in goodness.
• "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning": This is a profound metaphorical statement building upon the previous thought. The transient "night" of weeping symbolizes a period of trial, suffering, or distress, while the certain "morning" of joy signifies divine deliverance, restoration, and ultimate blessedness. This promise grounds the transient nature of suffering in the eternal reality of God's redemptive plan. The imagery reassures that no matter how deep the present sorrow, it has an expiry date, followed by God's guaranteed blessing.

Psalm 30 5 Bonus section

• The pairing of "moment" and "lifetime" in Hebrew creates a striking contrast (rega vs. chayyim), highlighting the profound difference in duration between God's temporary displeasure and His eternal goodwill. This reinforces His attribute of being "slow to anger" (Ex 34:6).
• The metaphor of "night" leading to "morning" is deeply ingrained in biblical thought as a pattern of divine activity: darkness gives way to light (Gen 1:3-5), chaotic formlessness to creation (Gen 1), the trials of the wilderness to the promised land, crucifixion to resurrection. It points to an ultimate, divine reversal.
• While the "night" in this verse speaks to personal or communal distress, the concept resonates powerfully with the ultimate "night" of death, and the "morning" as the dawn of resurrection and eternal life with God. It gives this verse a Messianic and eschatological dimension.
• This verse acts as an assurance that God's justice is perfect, but His mercy triumphs. His anger is corrective, demonstrating His desire for His people's repentance and return to His benevolent favor. It's not retributive vengeance in an endless cycle, but a redemptive act with a limited scope.

Psalm 30 5 Commentary

Psalm 30:5 profoundly reveals the temporal asymmetry between God's anger and His favor, offering immense comfort and perspective amidst suffering. God's disciplinary anger is brief, like a transient storm or a parent's corrective hand, stemming from His holiness against sin, but always limited in duration and severity, purposed for restoration rather than destruction. Conversely, His favor, born of His covenant love and abundant grace, is everlasting and life-giving, embracing the entirety of one's existence and beyond. This divine character is beautifully reflected in the natural cycle of "weeping for a night" and "joy in the morning." The "night" symbolizes seasons of trial, sorrow, or desolation, which, while deeply felt, are portrayed as a temporary lodging, a guest in one's life, not a permanent resident. The assured arrival of "morning" symbolizes the certain dawn of divine intervention, renewal, comfort, and deliverance. It points to God's faithfulness to bring light after darkness, hope after despair, and exultation after lament, reflecting the triumph of His redemptive love. This verse underpins Christian theology, affirming that present sufferings, however intense, are fleeting when weighed against the eternal glory and joy God guarantees His faithful ones.