Pit Pull.

I will praise you, O Lord, for you lifted me up, and did not allow my enemies to gloat over me. (Psalm 30:1)

As we reflect on this first verse of Psalm 30, let's consider what it means for us to be lifted up by God.

The scholars who edited the NET Bible note that the Hebrew verb we translate as "lifted up" is dalah. It is a word that denotes being drawn up out of a well, literally (see Exodus 2:19) or figuratively (see Proverbs 20:5).

The Lord has lifted us up. We were in trouble, but we did not drown.

Some of us have been rescued from destructive situations by the mighty hand of God. Some of us are given revelation of the depth of our own depravity, and we experience God's compassion drawing us out from the world and pulling us ever closer to Him.

The Lord has not allowed our enemies to gloat over us.

When we are rescued, it is not merely for our own comfort. The rescue is a testimony of God's power to save and keep His people. The rescue sends a message to the devil and his agents that God hears and answers the cry of those whose hearts are perfectly turned towards Him. 

O Lord, I will praise You.

In Psalm 30:3, the thought is continued: "O Lord, you pulled me up from Sheol; you rescued me from among those descending into the grave." The Hebrew word we translate as "grave" is bor, which can also be translated as "pit" or "cistern". Whether we are thrown in, or whether we fall in through our own carelessness, the Psalm tells us that God hears and answers the genuine cry for deliverance (Psalm 30:8 and 30:10).

Yes, James, I hear your voice taking up the refrain: "Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praises." (James 5:13)

Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, pull us out. Lord, receive our praise.