Psalm 30 thanks God (vv. 1-3, 11-12) and exhorts others to thank God (vv. 4-5). Both emerge from the concrete reality of David’s own experience. Here is what that experience looks like:
Step one: David was set on high and was flourishing at the hand of God’s bounty (v. 7a).
Step two: David became too self-confident (v. 6).
Step three: The Lord disciplined David for his pride (v. 7b).
Step four: David cried to the Lord and turned his heart away from pride (vv. 8-10).
Step five: The Lord answered David’s request and pleadings (vv. 11-12, back to vv 1-3).
The story is a common story; it is our story; it is Israel’s story; it is the story of Israel during the time of the judges; during the time of the kings and prophets; during the Exile and after the return; it is the story of the church in Acts.
Humans beings can experience the blessing of God and flourish and will always face the temptation of self-confidence and pride; and God often reminds us of our pride and summons us to become faithful and trusting and we see all over again that we are creatures and God alone is God.