We have been studying Psalm 30 for several weeks now.  The Psalm was written during the days of David’s conflict with Absalom.  He was trying to steal the kingdom from his Dad.  This Psalm in verses 1-10 has been for the most part a cry for help in the dark night of adversity.  In verses 11-12 the whole mood of the Psalm changes.  Our text of verses 11-12 says, “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 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.”

In verse 11 we are confronted with God’s response to David’s cry for help.  We are told three truths about His response; “Thou hast turned”, “thou hast put off”, and “thou hast girded”.  I bless the times when I can say, “God hast”.  He is a God who loves to do for His children.  I fear He desires to do far more for us than we are willing to ask.

In the first work of response David says, “God hast turned…”  The word ‘turned’ means to cause a change, to overturn, or to bring to a contrary place than has been held before.  Oh, how I bless Him for His turning work in my own life.  David says He has turned ‘mourning into dancing’.  These are certainly two contrary and opposing positions.  The word ‘mourning’ means a lamentation or broken spirit.  The word ‘dancing’ is a festive dance done in a square where there is much twisting and whirling.  It sounds like our square dancing.  It is a great turn to go from mourning to dancing but our God is up to making major turns.

David tells us God has ‘put off’ my ‘sackcloth’.  The word ‘put off’ means to remove with ease.  In its place I have been ‘girded with gladness’.  The word ‘gird’ has the idea of being fast and sure.  The word ‘gladness’ is a joy that is beyond words.

In response to what God has done, David shares in verse 12 what he plans to do.  He says, “To the end…”, this will not be something to start and a short time later discontinue.  It is a habit David wants to establish.  David wants any glory that might be his to be directed toward the Lord.  David says, ‘I don’t want to be silent’.  How can we be silent when God has laid so much before us to praise Him for?  If nothing else the phrase David uses, “O LORD my God,” would be ground to shout forever.  If we know the Lord is our God we can praise Him even when all around our souls is giving way.  

David says in verse 12 He desires to give thanks to the Lord while the ages roll on.  G.S. Bowen said, “Praise and thanks are the rent we owe to God; and the larger the farm the greater the rent should be.”  Let us praise Him as the song writer said,

“I’ll praise Him in life, I’ll praise Him in death; I’ll praise Him as long as He lendeth me breath; And say when the death dew lays cold on my brow, If ever I love thee, my Jesus tis now.”