Psalms 30
What Happens in This Chapter
In this song, David thanks God for saving him when he was very sick and close to dying. He remembers a time when he felt safe and strong, and then a time when he felt afraid. He tells how he begged God for help, and how God turned his sadness into joy. He promises to keep thanking God forever.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
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 me.
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 made me well again.
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 pulled me back up from the place of the dead. I was close to dying, but you kept me alive.
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 and 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 does not last long. His kindness lasts a whole lifetime. Crying may last through the night. But joy comes in the morning.
6And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
6When everything was going well, I said this: "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 kind, and you made me stand strong like a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I felt lost and afraid.
"You hid your face" means God seemed far away and quiet, as if he were not listening.
8I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
8I called out to you, LORD. I begged you, my 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 to the grave? Can dust praise you? Can dust 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, please 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. You dressed me in joy instead.
Sackcloth was scratchy cloth people wore to show they were very sad.
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.
12Now my heart can sing to you and never stay quiet. LORD my God, I will thank you forever.
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