Psalm 30 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Psalm 30 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

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King James Version

SAB comment

My comment


1 I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

David's Victory
(Jean Colombe, 1485-89)

2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

3 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 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

How long does God's anger last?
First of all, John Gill explains that the word anger here should not be understood as if God was angry. An unchangeable being as God is, does not have this emotion. But it is to be understood in how the Lord's people perceive God's actions towards them:

He doing those things which in some respects are similar to those which men do when they are angry; he turns away from them and hides his face, he chides, chastises, and afflicts, and then they conclude he is angry; and when he returns again and takes off his hand, manifests his pardoning love, and comforts them, then they understand it that his anger is turned away from them

So secondly, the author of the SAB should look at the context. This verse cannot simply be compared with a verse like Matthew 25:41 where Jesus speaks about the final judgment of the wicked, those who have rejected God and chosen for Satan.

6 And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

7 LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.

8 I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.

9 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 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.

11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

Is dancing a sin?
Yes, dancing is a sin. See Gal. 5:19 about the differences between how the word dancing was used in Israel and what it described in heathen times.

12 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.

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