Psalms 30:9
What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
Original Language Analysis
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
בְּדָמִי֮
is there in my blood
H1818
בְּדָמִי֮
is there in my blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
3 of 10
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
בְּרִדְתִּ֪י
when I go down
H3381
בְּרִדְתִּ֪י
when I go down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
4 of 10
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
שָׁ֥חַת
to the pit
H7845
שָׁ֥חַת
to the pit
Strong's:
H7845
Word #:
6 of 10
a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively, destruction
הֲיוֹדְךָ֥
praise
H3034
הֲיוֹדְךָ֥
praise
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
7 of 10
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
עָפָ֑ר
Shall the dust
H6083
עָפָ֑ר
Shall the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
8 of 10
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
Cross References
Psalms 6:5For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?Isaiah 38:18For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.Psalms 118:17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
Historical Context
Old Testament saints had limited revelation about afterlife. They focused on this-life service to God. Later revelation (especially Christ's resurrection) expanded understanding, but the principle remains: God is glorified through sustained faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your continued life provide opportunity to glorify God?
- What does this verse teach about valuing life as a stewardship for God's glory?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The rhetorical question 'What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?' argues for preservation on the basis of God's glory. Death silences testimony. While not fully understanding afterlife, David argues that living saints glorify God more than dead ones. Reformed theology sees fuller revelation in Christ's resurrection—even death doesn't silence praise (Rev. 14:13), but temporal deliverance multiplies opportunities for testimony.