Psalms 30:5

KJV

For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.

KJV (with Strong's)

For his anger {H639} endureth but a moment {H7281}; in his favour {H7522} is life {H2416}: weeping {H1065} may endure {H3885} for a night {H6153}, but joy {H7440} cometh in the morning {H1242}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For his anger is momentary, but his favor lasts a lifetime. Tears may linger for the night, but with dawn come cries of joy.

Berean Standard Bible

For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.

American Standard Version

For his anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a life-time: Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy cometh in the morning.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 30:5 offers a profound theological contrast, asserting that while God's anger or discipline is fleeting, lasting but a moment, His divine favor brings enduring life and flourishing. It powerfully illustrates the transient nature of human sorrow, likening weeping to a night that, though dark and long, is inevitably followed by the dawn of joy, assuring believers of God's ultimate disposition towards restoration and gladness after periods of trial.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 30 is a "Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit l'David" (A Psalm, a Song for the Dedication of the House, of David), indicating its purpose for a significant celebratory occasion, likely the dedication of David's own palace or perhaps even the future Temple site. The psalm opens with David's fervent praise for God's deliverance from a near-fatal illness or profound distress (e.g., [Psalms 30:2-3](/psalms/30-2 "Psalms 30:2-3 - God's Healing and Deliverance")). It transitions from a personal lament and cry for help to a triumphant declaration of God's faithfulness and restorative power. Verse 5 encapsulates the theological lesson learned from this experience: the temporary nature of divine discipline and the certainty of God's enduring favor, which culminates in joy. This verse serves as the theological hinge, explaining *why* David's weeping turned to dancing, as described later in [Psalms 30:11](/psalms/30-11 "Psalms 30:11 - Turning Weeping into Dancing").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, "night" often symbolized danger, sorrow, and the absence of God's visible presence or blessing, while "morning" represented new beginnings, divine intervention, and the restoration of light and hope. The experience of "weeping" for a night and "joy" in the morning would have resonated deeply with a people whose lives were intimately tied to agricultural cycles and the daily rhythm of sun and darkness. Furthermore, the concept of God's "anger" (often understood as discipline or righteous indignation) was not seen as capricious but as a corrective measure, distinct from His enduring "favor" (Hebrew: *ratson*), which signifies His delight, pleasure, and good will towards His covenant people. This understanding is rooted in the broader Old Testament narrative of God's covenant faithfulness, even amidst His people's disobedience, as seen in passages like [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Character Revealed").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes found throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **brevity of divine discipline** versus the **eternity of God's lovingkindness**. God's anger is not His ultimate disposition towards His children; rather, it is a momentary expression, intended for correction, not destruction. Secondly, it underscores the **certainty of God's favor and life**. God's ultimate desire for His people is their flourishing and well-being, which He graciously bestows. This "life" (Hebrew: *chayyim*) is not merely physical existence but encompasses holistic vitality, blessing, and spiritual flourishing. Finally, the imagery of "weeping... for a night, but joy... in the morning" establishes a profound theme of **hope and restoration after suffering**. It assures the believer that periods of sorrow, no matter how intense, are temporary and will inevitably give way to God's promised joy and renewal. This theme echoes through many biblical texts, offering comfort and perseverance to those enduring trials, as seen in [Isaiah 60:1-2](/isaiah/60-1 "Isaiah 60:1-2 - Arise, Shine, for Your Light Has Come").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Anger (Hebrew, _'aph'_):** This word literally means "nose" or "nostrils," and by extension, "anger" because of the visible physiological signs of anger (flared nostrils, heavy breathing). In a theological context, it refers to God's righteous indignation or displeasure, often expressed as temporary discipline. The psalmist emphasizes its *momentary* nature, contrasting it sharply with God's enduring character of favor. It implies a corrective, not destructive, purpose.
* **Favor (Hebrew, _ratson'_):** This term denotes delight, pleasure, good will, acceptance, or desire. When applied to God, it signifies His benevolent disposition, His good pleasure towards His people, and His willingness to bless them. It is the opposite of anger, representing God's abiding love and grace. The verse states that "in his favour is life," indicating that God's good pleasure is the source of all true flourishing and well-being.
* **Life (Hebrew, _chayyim'_):** This is a plural noun, often translated as "life" or "lives." It signifies not merely biological existence but a rich, full, abundant life characterized by well-being, prosperity, health, and spiritual vitality. It is the antithesis of death and all forms of decay or suffering. This "life" is presented as a direct consequence of God's enduring favor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For his anger [endureth but] a moment":** This clause establishes a foundational truth about God's character. While God, in His holiness and justice, may express anger or allow disciplinary periods, such expressions are temporary and limited in duration. They are not His ultimate or permanent disposition towards His covenant people. This brevity highlights God's patience and mercy.
* **"in his favour [is] life":** In stark contrast to the fleeting nature of His anger, God's favor is presented as the source of enduring "life." This implies that God's default and ultimate disposition towards His people is one of benevolence, good pleasure, and blessing, leading to holistic well-being and flourishing. Where His favor rests, there is true vitality.
* **"weeping may endure for a night":** This vivid metaphor acknowledges the reality of sorrow, grief, and suffering in human experience. "Night" symbolizes a period of darkness, difficulty, and desolation. The phrase "may endure" (or "lodge," "tarry") suggests that sorrow is a temporary guest, a transient condition, rather than a permanent resident. It validates the pain but frames it within a limited timeframe.
* **"but joy [cometh] in the morning":** This is the triumphant resolution and the verse's central message of hope. "Morning" symbolizes a new beginning, light, relief, and divine intervention. It represents the certainty of restoration and gladness after a period of trial. This is not merely wishful thinking but a confident declaration rooted in the character of God, who brings light out of darkness and turns sorrow into celebration.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 30:5 masterfully employs several **Literary Devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, which forms the very backbone of the verse. It juxtaposes "anger" with "favor," "a moment" with "life," and "night" (weeping) with "morning" (joy). This stark opposition emphasizes the qualitative difference between temporary affliction and enduring divine blessing. **Metaphor** and **Symbolism** are also central, with "night" serving as a powerful symbol for periods of sorrow, darkness, and tribulation, and "morning" symbolizing new beginnings, hope, and the arrival of joy and divine light. The phrase "weeping may endure for a night" is a classic example of **Personification**, giving human characteristics (enduring, lodging) to an abstract emotion. Finally, the verse exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, specifically antithetical parallelism in its first half (anger vs. favor) and synonymous/climactic parallelism in its second half (weeping for a night, joy in the morning), reinforcing the core message through rhythmic and balanced phrasing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully encapsulates a cornerstone of biblical theology: God's ultimate disposition towards His people is one of steadfast love and favor, even when He permits or sends temporary discipline. It affirms that suffering, while real and often intense, is not God's final word for His children. Rather, it is a transient experience, a "night" that will inevitably give way to the "morning" of His restorative joy. This truth is deeply embedded in the covenant relationship, where God, though holy and just, is also merciful and abounding in lovingkindness, always working for the ultimate good and flourishing of those who belong to Him. It speaks to the divine economy of grace, where even trials are purposed for growth and ultimately lead to a deeper appreciation of His unwavering faithfulness and the certainty of His promised joy.

* [2 Corinthians 4:17](/2_corinthians/4-17 "2 Corinthians 4:17 - Our Light and Momentary Troubles")
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God Wipes Away Every Tear")
* [John 16:20](/john/16-20 "John 16:20 - Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 30:5 offers immense comfort and a powerful framework for enduring life's inevitable seasons of sorrow. It encourages us to hold fast to the truth of God's character: His anger is momentary, but His favor is eternal. When we find ourselves in the "night" of weeping—whether due to grief, illness, disappointment, or spiritual struggle—this verse serves as a divine promise that the darkness will not last indefinitely. It calls us to cultivate a posture of patient endurance, trusting that God's ultimate disposition towards us is not condemnation but restoration and joy. This "morning" may not always be immediate or manifest in the way we expect, but it is certain, whether it's a new season of relief, a renewed perspective, or the ultimate "morning" of eternity when all tears will be wiped away. It invites us to shift our focus from the fleeting nature of our present pain to the enduring reality of God's benevolent presence and His unwavering commitment to our flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "night" of weeping are you currently experiencing, and how does the promise of "joy in the morning" speak to your present reality?**
* **How does understanding the brevity of God's "anger" (discipline) and the enduring nature of His "favor" shape your perception of hardship?**
* **In what practical ways can you "wait for the morning" with hope, even when the "night" feels long and dark?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to trust God's character, even when your circumstances feel contradictory to His favor?**

### FAQ
**Does "anger" in this verse mean God is wrathful towards believers?**

Answer: The "anger" (Hebrew: *'aph*) mentioned here is typically understood not as God's eternal condemnation or wrath against His children, but as His temporary, corrective displeasure or discipline. It's akin to a loving parent's anger towards a disobedient child—it's momentary and intended to guide them back to the right path, not to destroy them. The contrast with "favor" and "life" highlights that this anger is not God's ultimate or enduring disposition towards those He loves. His ultimate character towards believers is one of grace and favor, as seen in [Lamentations 3:32-33](/lamentations/3-32 "Lamentations 3:32-33 - God's Compassion and Discipline").

**Is this verse a guarantee that all my problems will disappear by morning?**

Answer: While the verse offers profound hope and a promise of ultimate joy, it's not a literal guarantee that every individual problem will be resolved by the very next sunrise. The "night" and "morning" are powerful metaphors for seasons of life. "Night" represents periods of sorrow, difficulty, or suffering, which can be brief or extended. "Morning" represents the certainty of relief, restoration, and joy that God brings, whether that is a new season of life, a shift in perspective, or the ultimate joy of eternity. The core message is that sorrow is temporary and God's joy is certain, even if the timing of that "morning" is in His sovereign hands.

**How can I experience "joy in the morning" when my circumstances remain difficult?**

Answer: Experiencing "joy in the morning" isn't always about an immediate change in external circumstances, but often about an internal shift in perspective and trust in God's character. It's about finding joy *in* God amidst the struggle, knowing His favor endures. This joy can manifest as peace, resilience, or a deep-seated hope that transcends current difficulties. It comes from fixing our eyes on God's faithfulness and His promises, rather than solely on our pain. Cultivating gratitude, prayer, and community support can help us lean into this promised joy, even when the "night" feels long. As [Philippians 4:4](/philippians/4-4 "Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord Always") encourages, we can "rejoice in the Lord always."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 30:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "night" of weeping and sorrow reached its deepest intensity in the suffering of Christ on the cross, where He bore the full weight of humanity's sin and experienced separation from the Father, crying out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" This was the moment of God's "anger" against sin, justly poured out, yet it was "but a moment" in the grand sweep of redemptive history. The "morning" of joy burst forth with His glorious resurrection, triumphing over sin and death, fulfilling the promise that "[weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning](/psalms/30-5 "Psalms 30:5 - Weeping and Joy")" in the most cosmic sense. Through His sacrifice, God's "favor" (His *ratson*) is extended to all who believe, granting them not just physical existence but eternal "life" in its fullest, most abundant sense, as Jesus declared, "[I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Abundant Life")". Believers, united with Christ, now share in His victory; our temporary sorrows and disciplines are but a fleeting shadow compared to the eternal weight of glory that awaits us, secured by the One who turned the darkest night into the brightest morning, ensuring that our weeping will indeed be turned into dancing, not just in this life, but for all eternity with Him, as promised in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God Wipes Away Every Tear").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 54:7

For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

Isaiah 54:8

In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory;

Psalms 126:5

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Psalms 126:6

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [with him].

Matthew 5:4

Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Isaiah 26:20

¶ Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.