The superscription to this psalm indicates it was a song at the dedication of the temple. It is difficult to discern from the contents how it would fit that occasion. There must have been some reason for that particular superscription, but we cannot fathom it from this distance.

    This is a psalm of thanksgiving from a disaster so severe it is described in “death” language (vss. 3, 10). In the background lies a lament (vss. 1, 2, 5, 7, 8-10, 11), but the complaint has receded in importance as the poet’s gratitude takes the prominent position. It is as if he said “I was dismayed and prayed, God answered, and I am thankful.” Hence the psalm opens by sounding the dominant note of gratitude in the very first verse.

    It is not easy to determine the exact circumstances of the author. Perhaps he was struck by illness, though the evidence is shaky. The psalm has only one reference to “foes” (vs. 1), and no reference to any sin committed by the writer. There are two different ways to interpret these verses. Many assume the statement of confidence in verse 7 was the author’s self confidence. His pride was then rebuked by judgment from God (illness?). This led him to repentance and prayer, to a recognition God was the source of his prosperity, then finally to deliverance and thanks. This scheme is similar to one found often in the psalms, but assumes sin on the author’s part, since specific evidence is lacking.

“I was dismayed and prayed, God answered, and I am thankful.”

    The other interpretation sees the hiding of God’s face (vs. 8) as describing some disaster coming on the author which led him to cry for deliverance, but which had no connection to sin on his part. In other words, he was an innocent victim, as was Job.

    There is also disagreement regarding the sequence of events. Some see the deliverance of verse 2 as a past experience upon which the author relies for help in a new crisis, described in verse 8. It is more likely that the entire psalm describes a single set of circumstances.

    Thanks opens the psalm because that was foremost in the author’s mind. But if we were to rearrange the text in the chronological order of events, we would begin with verses 6 and 7, which describe the writer’s downfall. His prayer follows in verses 8-10. Then came the answer for which thanks are given in verses 1-3. The writer reflects on his newfound joy and explodes in praise in verses 11 and 12. Finally, in verses 4 and 5 he calls upon the covenant people to praise the God whose “favor is for a lifetime.”

Verse 1 - NLT - RSV

The psalm both begins and ends with thanks. This surrounds and gives character to all the intervening text. “Drawn ... up” is language used elsewhere to describe drawing one up from a well, and the word for “Pit” in verse 3 is elsewhere translated “well”. The image was of one drowning and near death. We do not know how the rejoicing of the foes fits the picture. They do not seem to have caused the problem. They may have been long time antagonists who found delight in his tragedy. Some suggest they were former friends, now turned enemies because they deemed his misfortune to be God’s judgment on sins the author committed. Notice how often the psalm used the term “Lord” (Yahweh). It is found in verses 1-4, 7, 8, 10 and 12.

Verse 2 - NLT - RSV

The author had prayed (vs. 2), will pray forever (vs. 12), and calls on others to pray (vs. 4). This verse sums the entire substance of the psalm. “Healed” may refer to the cure of illness, but may also be interpreted more generally of any deliverance.

Verse 3 - NLT - RSV

“Sheol” is the world of the dead, literally the unseen world. The “Pit”is another synonym for death. The psalms commonly use death imagery to say matters have become as bad as they possibly can. Though we would not rule out a sickness unto death, that is not a necessary conclusion. See Psalm 88 where a literal interpretation of death would not make sense. That may be the case here as well.

Verse 4 - NLT - RSV

“Saints” is literally “holy ones” and refers to those set apart from the rest of humanity because of their covenant relation with God. Quite likely this was an invitation given in the public use of this psalm. “Thanks” catches the note sounded in verses 1 and 12.

Verse 5 - NLT - RSV

This is one of the truly grand affirmations of scripture. Does “anger” refer to a judgment from God, or is it to be understood more generally? Human anger may be unending, but divine anger is displaced by favor. The thought is repeated by the beautiful contrast between weeping and joy—an unwelcome overnight guest followed by a welcome daytime visitor. This verse may be understood as implying that the author’s repentance led to the change from anger to favor. There is no specific reference to repentance, however, so it may just refer to the deliverance that was God’s response to a cry for help.

Verses 6,7 - NLT - RSV

Some writers assume verse 6 expresses a prideful self confidence, as the author claimed personal credit for his well being. Then in verse 7 he came to realize the folly of that view when calamity struck him. Then he realized God was the true source of his prosperity. Others hold that the verses do not describe a “before and after.” Thus the author always recognized God was the source of his prosperity. The hiding of God’s face was not a punishment for pride, but an unexplainable disaster brought on an undeserving person. In the first case the “dismay” was due to a recognition of sin.

Verses 8-10 - NLT - RSV

The poet’s plea recognizes that if death should claim him it would end his covenant relation with God, and thus his ability to praise. This verse might describe a sickness to death, or it may be an image to describe the greatness of the tragedy.

Verse 11 - NLT - RSV

This must be one of the most exuberant verses in the psalter. There is a strong contrast between mourning and dancing, sackcloth and gladness. Anyone who has been severely burdened by some monumental calamity and then has been freed of the burden can feel the emotion of these words.

Verse 12 - NLT - RSV

The sufferer, now delivered, does not go his way heedless of the one who freed him. He bursts forth in praise, and will not cease praising as long as life lasts.

Title: "Delivered from Suffering"
Author: Dr. Tony Ash
Publication Date: March 3, 2002

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