Psalms
Chapter 30
David thanks God for pulling him back from the edge of death after he cried out for help. He remembers a time when he felt safe and sure of himself, and then a time when God seemed far away and he was afraid. The psalm ends with his sadness turned into dancing and a promise to keep giving thanks.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
1I will praise you, LORD, because you lifted me up. You did not let my enemies laugh at my trouble.
2O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
2LORD my God, I called out to you for help, and you healed me.
3O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
3LORD, you brought me back up from the world of the dead. You kept me alive so I would not go down into the grave.
"The grave" and "the pit" both mean the place of the dead. David is saying he almost died.
4Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
4Sing to the LORD, all you who belong to him. Give thanks when you remember how holy he is.
5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
5His anger lasts only a moment, but his kindness gives life. Crying may last all night, but joy comes in the morning.
6And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
6When everything was going well for me, I said, "Nothing will ever shake me."
7LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
7LORD, you were good to me, and you made me as steady as a strong mountain. Then you turned away, and I was afraid.
8I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
8I called out to you, LORD. I begged the Lord to help me.
9What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
9I said, "What good does it do if I die and go down into the grave? Can dust praise you? Can it tell how faithful you are?
10Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
10Listen to me, LORD, and be kind to me. LORD, be the one who helps me."
11Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
11You turned my sadness into dancing. You took off my rough mourning clothes and dressed me in joy.
Sackcloth was rough, scratchy cloth. People wore it to show they were sad or grieving.
12To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
12So now my heart will sing to you and will not stay quiet. LORD my God, I will thank you forever.
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