In this post, I wrote that observant Jews read Psalm 30 each morning upon rising. I also noted that Psalm 30 is a temple dedication psalm (as the superscription notes for us).
In terms of genre (or “form criticism“), the psalm itself is a bit of a blend. It shows characteristics of being both a prayer and expression of trust of the individual. In With this individual voice of the psalmist paired with the superscription that notes the dedication of the temple, Psalm 30 exhibits a beautiful convergence of the individual life of faith of the believer against the larger backdrop of the central role of the public place of worship for the corporate body of faith: the temple.
Individuality of saving faith is a central piece of the contemporary Christian worldview. Religion and faith is a personal, private thing. This is evidenced through the fact that most mainstream Christians today understand salvation to be something that is ultimately about a personal relationship with Jesus. Undoubtedly, salvation is about the faith of the individual, however, what we must account for is the fact that this individual faith must take its proper place against the larger backdrop of the corporate dimension of God’s covenant people.
Psalm 30, with its superscription setting the context of the dedication of the temple, takes the believer back to the public place of worship.If we’re to remove the dynamic of corporate worship from the life of faith, we lose the central place through which God meets the world in his saving power: through the people of God.
We rise each morning, then, not only mindful of our own personal faith in Jesus, but of our role as a member of the covenant people of God, understanding and embracing our role within the greater community of faith that is a witness to the saving and life transforming power of God.
His presence is with the temple both individually (Pentecost) and corporately.
