PSALM 30:1–5 Short-Lived Anger, Enduring Favour
READ: PSALM 30:1–5 (EXODUS 34:1–9)
v. 5 “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.”
Psalm 30:5 is one of the most overwhelming verses in the Old Testament:
“His anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
These words reveal to us something beautiful about the character of God, something that is very reassuring. There are several aspects to be noted.
To begin with, yes, the LORD’s anger is for real. God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day (Ps. 7:11). He visits the iniquity of the fathers on the children (Ex. 34:7). King David experienced God’s anger when he had fallen into sin. The same happened to Israel when they rebelled against him. We confess in the Heidelberg Catechism: God is terribly angry with our original sin as well as our actual sins (Lord’s Day 4).
Nevertheless, God’s anger has limits and it is overshadowed by his love and mercy. We may experience his anger for a moment, but we will experience his favour for a lifetime. Notice how the LORD presents himself to Moses in Exodus 34:6–7: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sins, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children.” When we reflect on these words, we see that God’s mercy and grace, his love and faithfulness shine forth more strongly than his anger.
This comforting message finds its confirmation and climax in the life and work of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. During all the time he lived on earth, but especially at the end, he bore the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 15). This is why God’s anger against us lasts only a moment while his favour lasts a lifetime. His favour lasts forever! Jesus Christ makes us share in all his benefits and blessings: forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, renewal of life, yes, even life beyond death.
Isn’t it wonderful that we have a God who is not vindictive at heart but merciful and forgiving? His wrath was spent on his Son so that his compassion may be poured out on us.
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