The translation of the superscription of Psalm 30 is disputed. The KJV and NKJV explain the psalm as a "song at the dedication of the house of David"—evidently referring to the king's royal palace. The NIV and others, though, think the translation should be "A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David." The Hebrew word here is beyt— "house" in a general sense. Yet the idea of the latter translation is that le-David, as in other psalms, should denote authorship rather than any connection with this house. And "the house" on its own can be a designation for the temple, the house of the Lord—though it could also refer to the palace.

Considering the very personal and specific nature of this psalm with regard to the life of the psalmist, it does not seem to fit very well with the dedication of the temple, which took place several years after David's death. The most likely conclusion appears to be that this psalm was written by David to be sung at the dedication of his palace. For this reason, we earlier read Psalm 30 in the Beyond Today Bible Commentary in conjunction with other passages concerning that period (see the Beyond Today Bible Commentary on 1 Chronicles 14; 2 Samuel 5:11-25; 1 Chronicles 3:5-9; Psalm 30).

David reflects on the events that have led up to the joyful occasion of his now-firm establishment at Jerusalem. He praises God for lifting him up, healing him, keeping him alive (verses 1-3). He thanks God for not letting his enemies rejoice over him (verse 1). Indeed, David's enemies now have no cause to rejoice because God has overturned his prior circumstances: "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness" (verse 11).

This is to serve as an example to all of God's people—they are always to praise Him for He will ultimately turn hard and dark times to light and joy (verses 4-5). This is especially good to remember in the years before us as we approach the darkening end of the age.

In verse 6, David declares that he is now prosperous and firmly established. He further says to God, "By Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong" (verse 7). The reference here "may be to David's security in his mountain fortress, Zion; or that mountain fortress may here serve as a metaphor for David's state as a vigorous and victorious king, the 'mountain' on which he sat with such secure confidence in God" (Zondervan NIV Study Bible, note on verse 7).

David ends the psalm with an important reason God has lifted him out of affliction. "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy so that my heart may sing to you and not be silent" (verse 12, NIV). All of God's people have been called out of spiritual darkness to do the same—to sing praise and give thanks (1 Peter 2:9-10).

God is intimately attuned to the fact that we can endure only so much. (Typically, He knows we can endure more than we would choose to on our own!) The promise of 1 Corinthians 10:13 remains a comfort to us when we are afflicted: "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."