The Heart's Cry: Psalm 30

Psalm 30

Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.


It sure looks like we'll be on the same topic this time as last.

In Psalm 30 David seems to be at the end of a negative road, about to take a turn for the better and he is very much looking forward to the morning. But even though David says weeping may linger FOR THE NIGHT but joy comes WITH THE MORNING he is not speaking of a literal day and night. I would argue that we all too often take Biblical language to be literal when it should not be taken that way but this goes double for the Psalms. The Psalms are poetry and song lyrics, and as such have deeper and different meaning that the mere words. What David is doing is creating art and art is not always [if ever] meant to be taken only literally.

So David has gone through dangers, toils and snares and has had a very hard time while he was in the midst, but a new morning is finally on the horizon. You've been there, haven't you? [You, and I, may very well be there right now.] Where the sun comes up and goes down again and again and you go through the daily/nightly motions, but you don't really move forward. The calendar pages keep moving but the storm stays put. The clock keeps ticking but your hopelessness lingers. It is not a matter of having to get over it by sun-up, it is about taking the time to process what needs to be processed.

So take your time, there is no particular rush, whatever else you have to concern yourself with can wait. But know this, that God is not done with you or us, and soon, like David, we will be able to say...

You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

I beg your pardon, but, I think I will end this post with another prayer instead of questions.

Lord, as I read the words of the King who was a shepherd I am reminded of the pains of the moment and the pains of the past. And while this current pain seems so large I know you have alleviated the previous pains and will also alleviate this one as well. I pray for all those who feel like I do, those who need peace and comfort and above all else hope. So Lord bring us your peace. Lord bring us your comfort. Lord bring us your hope. Amen.