Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Psalms Ch.30 / 150 Ch.s
PS:30
* Praise to God for deliverance. (1-5) Others encouraged by his
example. (6-12)
#1-5. The great things the Lord has done for us, both by his
providence and by his grace, bind us in gratitude to do all we
can to advance his kingdom among men, though the most we can do
is but little. God's saints in heaven sing to him; why should
not those on earth do the same? Not one of all God's perfections
carries in it more terror to the wicked, or more comfort to the
godly, than his holiness. It is a good sign that we are in some
measure partakers of his holiness, if we can heartily rejoice at
the remembrance of it. Our happiness is bound up in the Divine
favour; if we have that, we have enough, whatever else we want;
but as long as God's anger continues, so long the saints'
weeping continues.
#6-12 When things are well with us, we are very apt to think
that they will always be so. When we see our mistake, it becomes
us to think with shame upon our carnal security as our folly. If
God hide his face, a good man is troubled, though no other
calamity befal him. But if God, in wisdom and justice, turn from
us, it will be the greatest folly if we turn from him. No; let
us learn to pray in the dark. The sanctified spirit, which
returns to God, shall praise him, shall be still praising him;
but the services of God's house cannot be performed by the dust;
it cannot praise him; there is none of that device or working in
the grave, for it is the land of silence. We ask aright for
life, when we do so that we may live to praise him. In due time
God delivered the psalmist out of his troubles. Our tongue is
our glory, and never more so than when employed in praising God.
He would persevere to the end in praise, hoping that he should
shortly be where this would be the everlasting work. But let all
beware of carnal security. Neither outward prosperity, nor
inward peace, here, are sure and lasting. The Lord, in his
favour, has fixed the believer's safety firm as the deep-rooted
mountains, but he must expect to meet with temptations and
afflictions. When we grow careless, we fall into sin, the Lord
hides his face, our comforts droop, and troubles assail us.