Chapter 30

Psalms

1 note in this chapter

5 God: further contradictions (b): Psalms 30:5

1I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me upand have not let my foes rejoice over me.2O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,and you have healed me.3O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.4Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,and give thanks to his holy name.5For his anger is but for a moment,and his favor is for a lifetime.Weeping may tarry for the night,but joy comes with the morning.✦

5God: further contradictions (b): Psalms 30:5

Critical Commentary

Psalm 30:5 says God’s anger lasts only a moment, while Numbers 32:13 says his anger kept Israel wandering in the wilderness for forty years until the generation that did evil had died out. The point put is that a moment and forty years cannot both describe the same anger.

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Psalms 30:5

And the LORD’s anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the LORD was gone.
Numbers 32:13

Source: see Credits and references (no. 14, p. 10).

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6As for me, I said in my prosperity,“I shall never be moved.”7By your favor, O LORD,you made my mountain stand strong;you hid your face;I was dismayed.8To you, O LORD, I cry,and to the Lord I plead for mercy: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?10Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me!O LORD, be my helper!”11You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;you have loosed my sackclothand clothed me with gladness,12that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

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