Elevation of Feeling
S. Martin. Psalm 30:11-12 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing: you have put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;… For the expression and manifestation of the state in which we are, God has made a rich provision of power. The forehead, the eye, the mouth, the whole face, the hands, the arms, the gait, and especially the voice, are so many instruments and agents 'of expression; and we are not true to ourselves, we are false to our condition, we are disloyal to God, when we clothe ourselves with a uniform reticence and unexpressiveness of demeanour. The clouds drop their blackness and appear brilliantly coloured and gorgeously gilded when the sun shines on them. The sea casts off its leaden hue and is covered with crisped smiles when the storm is over. The battle-field absorbs the blood which, in the day of war, is spilt on its bosom, and exhibits lovely flowers, or verdant pasture, or golden corn. The earth casts off her winterly attire and puts on her summerly vestments when "the time of the singing of birds has come." In like manner there is in human life and experience the turning of mourning into dancing; the putting off of sackcloth and the girding with gladness. (S. Martin.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; WEB: You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness,