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Psalms 30:9

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What profit [is there] in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

What profit {H1215} is there in my blood {H1818}, when I go down {H3381} to the pit {H7845}? Shall the dust {H6083} praise {H3034} thee? shall it declare {H5046} thy truth {H571}?

"What advantage is there in my death, in my going down to the pit? Can the dust praise you? Can it proclaim your truth?

“What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness?

What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

Commentary

Psalms 30:9 is a poignant plea from King David, likely uttered during a time of severe illness or near-death experience, as he appeals to God for deliverance.

Context of Psalms 30:9

Psalm 30 is titled "A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David." While the exact historical event is debated, the psalm itself is a profound song of thanksgiving for God's deliverance from death. In verse 9, David recalls his desperate prayer when he was at the brink of death. He argues that his demise would not benefit God, as a dead person cannot offer praise or testimony. This verse captures the intensity of his prayer before God intervened and restored him, shifting his weeping into joy, as described later in the psalm.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Purpose of Life: David's argument underscores the primary purpose of a living human being: to praise God and declare His truth. If he were to die, this sacred function would cease, at least in the earthly realm.
  • The Silence of the Grave: The verse highlights the Old Testament understanding of the grave, or "the pit" (Hebrew: shaḥat or bor, often referring to Sheol), as a place of silence where the living cannot praise God. David's plea is based on the idea that God's glory is diminished if His worshiper is gone. This perspective is echoed in other psalms, such as Psalm 6:5 and Psalm 88:10-12.
  • God's Glory and Human Praise: David appeals to God's own glory, suggesting that his survival and continued praise would bring more honor to God than his death. It's a powerful argument rooted in a desire for God's name to be magnified.

Linguistic Insights

The term "pit" (Hebrew: shaḥat or bor) is often used interchangeably with Sheol in the Old Testament, representing the realm of the dead—a place of darkness and silence, where communication with God as a living, active worshiper was not perceived to occur. The phrase "shall the dust praise thee?" uses "dust" (Hebrew: `aphar) as a metaphor for the decaying human body, emphasizing the inability of the deceased to offer conscious, active praise or declare God's truth.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the preciousness of life and the unique opportunity it presents to glorify God. It encourages believers to use their time, breath, and faculties to praise Him and declare His truth to the world. Our very existence is an opportunity for worship. While the New Testament offers a fuller revelation of life after death and resurrection, David's plea still resonates: let us live fully for God's glory now, while we have the breath to do so.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 6:5 (10 votes)

    For in death [there is] no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

  • Isaiah 38:18 (6 votes)

    For the grave cannot praise thee, death can [not] celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:10 (6 votes)

    Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

  • Psalms 115:17 (5 votes)

    The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

  • Psalms 115:18 (5 votes)

    But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.

  • Psalms 118:17 (5 votes)

    I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.

  • Psalms 88:10 (5 votes)

    ¶ Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise [and] praise thee? Selah.