A Psalm of Grace & Mercy

Joy Comes with the Morning

A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple.

1 I will extol You, O Lord, for You have drawn me up

    and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

2 O Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You have healed me.

3 O Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You restored 

  me to life from among those who go down to the pit. 

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have 

  loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

12 that my glory may sing Your praise and not be silent.

    O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever!

King David is joyous. His joy is at the dedication of the temple, the one put up during his time. Solomon will build the more permanent structure and dedicate it later. Yet David is joyous because the temple means God’s presence is assured, and His presence is promising because of the grace He gives.

Jesus assures us of this joy as well. Nearing the end of His ministry, Jesus engages His disciples in deep conversations.

“19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:19-20).

Our sorrows turn into joy knowing the grace we have and will see one day when we are with Jesus. His grace gives us joy as we live in His presence.

We pray: Gracious God, You have turned our mourning into dancing, our sorrows into joy. Your mercy and grace abound so we may live! Help us share this joy with others and turn their sorrow into joy through Your Spirit. Amen.