Psalm 30 (NRSV)
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Verse 1I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
Verse 2O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
Verse 3O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Verse 4Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.
Verse 5For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Verse 6As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."
Verse 7By your favor, O Lord, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed.
Verse 8To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication:
Verse 9"What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Verse 10Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper!"
Verse 11You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
Verse 12so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Devotion
“You hid your face. I was dismayed.” What a perfect phrase. Heavy clouds cover the face of the sun; the face of the earth is plunged into darkness and storm. My child is caught in transgression; he hides his face behind his hands as a barrier between our faces. When emotions run high, we turn our heads to keep our faces from betraying us. The face is the source of comfort, of knowing, of connection. What complete dismay, then, to experience the withdrawal of God’s gracious face and favor!
Perhaps though, in spite of the psalmist’s – and our own – feelings that God has turned away, it is the false lure of prosperity that has turned our heads. Perhaps we cover our faces to hide our shame or denial. And perhaps it is through prayer that we are re-oriented toward the face of God, who has never looked away.
Prayer
May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look upon you with favor and grant you peace. Amen.