A Shout of Joy Comes in the Morning
Psalms 30:5 A psalm of David that provides a reminder of God’s eternal grace
Original photo by Nathan Dumlao via Unsplash
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.”
Psalms 30:5 NASB1995
After “Sin and Virtues Month” (AKA June, 2023), I feel refreshed by being able to dive into a more complete overview of God’s Word — especially the Psalms. Psalm 30 begins with a unique dedication, “A Song at the Dedication of the House of David.” As we’d expect from the humble King David, the psalm isn’t a glowing overview of his palace, but instead a song praising God for the greatness of His deliverance. David always wanted God to be first and foremost in his life, not himself.
In the first part of this verse, David is rejoicing that God’s anger is real — but momentary — while His favor can last a lifetime. Another way of thinking of this in New Testament terms is that God may correct or discipline us for a short time, but His grace is with us forever. David was well acquainted with God’s slowness to anger and readiness to save, as he gave God many reasons both to be angry and to forgive.
The second half of the verse is a testimony from David, who endured many tearful nights followed by joyful mornings. The American theologian and minister James Montgomery Boice explains David’s meaning elegantly:
“By itself, this passage could mean, merely, ‘into each life a little rain must fall’ or ‘every cloud has a silver lining’ or ‘you’ve got to take the bad with the good’ or ‘cheer up, things will get better’.... But what David is talking about is God’s disfavor versus his favor, expressed in the experiences of life. His conviction is that the favor always outweighs the disfavor for God’s people.”1
I love the contrast we see in the second half of this verse, of night and morning, dark and light, weeping and joy. In particular, the sad weeping of the night is replaced with “a joyful shout”. Keeping one’s focus on God, the dark night of despair passes, to be replaced with indescribable joy.
English bishop George Horne saw this as a beautiful rendering of the death and resurrection of Christ, saying:
“This is a most beautiful and affecting image of the sufferings and exaltation of Christ...of the night of death, and the morning of the resurrection.”2
For those readers who may be experiencing what seems to be the worst time of their life, just remember that the light of morning will bring a shout of joy!
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I offer my praise and thanks to You for your kindness and patience toward me and all of Your sinful children. Thank You for the reminder that despite pain and difficulties I may endure in this life, my weeping will always be replaced with laughter and my pain with joy. AMEN
Boice, James Montgomery "Psalms: An Expostional Commentary" Volume 1 (Psalms 1-41) (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 1994)
Horne, George "Commentary on the Psalms" (Audubon, New Jersey: Old Paths Publications, 1997 of a 1771 edition)