Psalm 30
When questioned by a self-righteous Pharisee, why a woman known only as a sinner was allowed to touch him and anoint his feet with ointment, Jesus replied with a story that showed that those who have been forgiven most have the greatest love for Jesus. Luke 7.36-50 Her thanksgiving and love were expressed through kissing and washing Jesus’ feet with tears, drying them with her hair and anointing them. We should never be shy about our thanksgiving, praise and love for God.
After a series of laments from David when he was in the midst of troubles, in Psalm 30 we have a celebration of praise and thanksgiving for salvation from troubles. However, this psalm recognizes that life’s challenges do not stop and we have continuing need for the Lord’s mercy. The psalm opens with an exclamation of praise, ‘I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and not let my foes rejoice over me.’ v1 Do we reflect on times when we have known the relief of the Lord’s victory in our life and praised him for it? It may be when we first knew his salvation, possibly when he gave us victory over a particular sin, when we were raised from a serious sickness, protected or removed from the threat of harm. Then we can join in with the thanksgiving, ‘O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you healed me. O Lord you have brought up my soul from Sheol (death); you restored me to life.’ vv2,3
David considered such times as discipline from God but without them he could not experience the joy of God’s subsequent blessing. vv4,5 Going through such experiences has increased David’s resilience and he praises God for it, ‘By your favour, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong.’ v7 Despite this David still experiences despair when he feels remote from God v7 David appeals to God for mercy on the basis that we are made to praise God. v8,9 David praises God with his whole being dancing, singing and gladness. Charismatic worship is no new phenomena. If we have experienced God’s victory in our life let us join in with David and say, ‘O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.’ v12
I will sing of the goodness of God.