Psalm 30

(a prophetic reading)

​

Not everyone feels the way the psalmist does
so this contemporary reading
treats the psalm as a promise
while for the psalmist it may be true
but for is it yet to be so.
So we read the original
breaking it with a new version
a psalm of thanksgiving
becomes a psalm of promise

Voice1:
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,    

and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,    

and you have healed me.

Voice 2:
But Lord, may my own thanksgiving
be a promise to those who have not yet been healed,
who do not yet find rejoicing

Voice 1:

O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,    

restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.

Voice 2:
This too a promise for those still waiting,
that your love holds our hand
leading us from the darkest places to those filled with light

Voice 1:

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,    

and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger is but for a moment;    

his favour is for a lifetime.

Voice 2:
In this moment: anger, hurt, pain;
but across a lifetime, let me find love

Voice 1:
Weeping may linger for the night,    

but joy comes with the morning.

Voice 2:
May we come to trust love,

fresh and hope-filled every morning
is strong enough to break the darkness of nights of memory

Voice 1:
“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?

Voice 2:
Will my sorrow bring light to the world
will my fear bring hope?

Voice 1:
Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!    

O Lord, be my helper!”
You have turned my mourning into dancing;    

you have taken off my sackcloth    

and clothed me with joy,

Voice 2:
May I hear your promise
that I will once again own dancing shoes
and new colours with clothe me
after the dark of mourning

Voice 1:
and one day my soul praise you and not be silent.

Voice 2:

And I will give thanks to you
forever.