Psalm 30

April 21, 2004

Title: Psalm 30

Text: Psalm 30

Introduction

1. Last year, we studied the Psalms during Sunday Nights throughout the summer.

• This year, I thought we would resume our study of the Psalms, only on Wednesday evenings…

• Here in Florida, it can get pretty hot …

• Most people have begun to use their air conditioners…

• Because, when it is so hot outside…

• There’s just something that is so refreshing about the nice cool air from the air conditioner.

• That’s what the Psalms are like…

• They are a breath of fresh air when life gets “hot”…

• Or out of control.

• When I get discouraged…

• When life seems particularly heavy…

• I turn to the Psalms, and when I do…

• God never fails to lift my spirits…

• Through reading the Psalms.

2. It is my hope that through this study of the Psalms…

• That God will truly speak to us as individuals, and us as a church…

• You know, summers can get pretty tough around here…

• And I’m not just talking about the weather…

• We have many “snowbirds” who fly back North for the summer…

• Already, many of them have made the journey up North…

• With more to leave very soon.

• We love our snowbirds…

• While they are here…they are a real blessing to us…

• And when the leave, we really miss them.

• Not only that, but sometimes, just life in general seems to get us down…

• It can seem like a long time from Sunday to Sunday…

• Hearing a Word from the Lord…

• And sometimes, these Wednesday Nights can become more than just a mid-week service…

• These Wednesday Nights can become an oasis…

• Where we can stop and receive some much needed refreshment…

• In order to make the journey through the rest of the week.

3. So, if you are tired…

• If you are weary…

• If you are thirsting for a touch from the Lord…

• You’ve come to the right place…

• Come to the well…

• Receive the cool water of the Holy Spirit that refreshes our spirit.

Read Text: Psalm 30

1. Background

A. The title of this Psalm states, “A psalm. A song..”

• These words were intended to be a song sung along with musical instruments.

• The content of the Psalm seems to indicate that it was written to give thanks for the recovery from a serious illness.

• Verse 3 basically indicates that he was at death’s door…

• But that God brought him back.

B. The title goes on to say, For the dedication of the temple. Of David”

• In 1 Chronicles 22:1-6, it tells us that David provided the building materials and the property for the Temple…

• And as you probably remember, David was not allowed to build the Temple; since he was a man of war…

• So God allowed David’s son, Solomon to build the Temple instead.

• But even still, David was involved by providing some of the materials.

C. During Hanukkah, the Jews recite Psalm 30 in their liturgy…

• Hanukkah is a feast that celebrates the rededication of the Temple by Judas Maccabeus…

• After it had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes in 168 BC.

• Antiochus Epiphanes entered the Holy of Holies, …

• And desecrated the sanctuary by offering unclean animals upon the alter of burnt-offerings,…

• He boiled pigs (considered unclean) in water…

• And polluted the whole building by sprinkling it with the water that the pigs had been boiled in.

• Then he dedicated the Temple to Jupiter

• Erecting a statue of Jupiter in the Temple…

• And stealing all the items of value from the Temple.

• Eventually the Jews revolted …

• And the Temple was rededicated 3 years later. (1)

D. When we study this passage of Scripture…

• We not only look at it from the standpoint of David, it’s author…

• But we also see a parallel with the Israelites…

• As happens in so many passages of Scripture…

• And it also speaks to us today.

2. The Rescue vv 1-5

A. In verses 1-5, we see praising the Lord for his rescue.

• He says, “I will exalt you, O Lord…

• For You lifted me out of the depths”.

• This is a very interesting phrase…

• First of all, David indicates that he will “exalt” the Lord…

• That word exalt means to glorify, praise, and honor…

• But it also means to “lift up” our praise and worship.

• We know this in our music…

Majesty

Hayford, Jack

Majesty, worship His majesty.

Unto Jesus be all glory,