Psalms 30:3

Authorized King James Version

O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

Word-by-Word Analysis

יְֽהוָ֗ה

H3068

O LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הֶֽעֱלִ֣יתָ

H5927

thou hast brought up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

שְׁא֣וֹל

H7585

from the grave

hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates

נַפְשִׁ֑י

H5315

my soul

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

חִ֝יִּיתַ֗נִי

H2421

thou hast kept me alive

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

מִיָּֽורְדִי

H3381

that I should not go down

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

בֽוֹר׃

H953

to the pit

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Psalms, this passage highlights worship and praise through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Psalms.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about worship and praise?