Praise for Healing
Study note
David praises God for lifting him up from the grave and healing him. He calls others to sing praise because God's anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning.
1 I will lift you up high, Lord, because you reached down and pulled me up from the bottom. You did not let my enemies have the last laugh. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
2 Lord my God, I screamed out to you for help, and you healed me. O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
3 Lord, you dragged me back from the edge of the grave. You kept me breathing when I was ready to drop into the pit. O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 All you who are faithful to the Lord, pour out your praise to him. Give thanks when you remember how holy he is. Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
5 His anger is gone in a flash, but his kindness stretches across an entire lifetime. You might cry yourself to sleep at night, but when morning comes, joy is waiting for you. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
From Pride to Prayer
Study note
When things were going well, David felt secure. But when God hid his face, David was terrified and cried out for help.
6 Back when everything was going great, I told myself, "Nothing will ever knock me down." And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
7 Lord, when you showed me favor, I felt as solid as a mountain. But the moment you stepped back, I was filled with panic. LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
8 I called out to you, Lord. To you I begged for mercy. I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
9 "What do you gain if I die and go down into the pit? Can a pile of dust thank you? Can it tell anyone about how faithful you are?" What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
10 Listen to me, Lord, and show me kindness. Lord, step in and help me. Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
Mourning Turned to Dancing
Study note
God turned David's mourning into dancing and replaced his sackcloth with joy, so that David would sing praise and never be silent.
11 You took my grief and turned it into dancing. You peeled off my mourning clothes and dressed me in happiness, Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
12 so that my heart would keep singing your praise and never go silent. Lord my God, I will thank you forever and ever. To 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.