This translation of and reflection on Psalm 30 was a part of an assignment for a Psalms class we are taking in rabbinical school this semester with Dr. Nehemia Pollan. It has been amazing to learn about the Psalms as the music and poetry of the Bible. Through this translation assignment we were able to find the depth and myriad meanings in each word and to familiarize ourselves with the vastly different and extremely moving translations that have been published, including Robert Alter’s The Book of Psalms and Norman Fischer’s Opening to You: Zen-Inspired Translations of the Psalms. There is a new book of Psalms translations written by a woman in our community, Pamela Greenberg, The Complete Psalms which I am excited to check out!

Here is my translation for Psalm 30, which is part of the daily liturgy of traditional Jewish prayer.

Psalm 30:5-13

Psalm 30 beautifully captures the constant undulation of human emotion. As this psalm describes for us, these changes in our emotional state are a natural part of the human experience, both on the daily level (evening and morning) and the epochs and eras of our lives (times of prosperity and times of descent into ruin). This is true not only on an individual level, but collectively as well. The beauty of this psalm is that it reassures us that no matter how unbearable in the moment, no state of being remains forever. The experience of the psalmist is one of fear and agitation at this truth, which mirrors for us how we feel during challenging times. At the same time, taking a longer view allows us to see the pattern of ups and downs in a way that is reassuring in its ability to map the contours that produce the beauty of a human life. Bodily imagery is prevalent throughout Psalm 30 and is used to further enforce this theme of the cycle of renewal. A striking example of this is in the psalmist’s use of the words “blood” and “liver.” This imagery conjures up the cleansing cycle built into our bodies throughout which blood pumps through us and our livers expel that which is no longer useful. In being made b’tzelem elokim we have within us our own mechanism for renewal. We are also reminded that every day our bodies progress through a circadian rhythm, confirming that the alternation expressed in this psalm is the foundation of what it means to be human. The visceral language in this psalm make it accessible and personally resonant.

5: Sing to Gd, O His faithful and praise the remembrance of His holiness
6: For but a moment is He in His anger, but life exists according to His love
In the evening one lies down weeping, but in the morning – rejoicing comes
7: As for me, I said in my prosperity “I shall never be shaken!”
8: O Gd, it was by your love that you caused me to stand firm like a mighty mountain
So that when you hid Your face, I was terrified.
9: To You, O Gd, I call out, to my Lord I plead for mercy
10: What is to be gained by shedding my blood, by my descent to ruin?
Can the dust praise You, can it tell of your faithfulness?
11: Hear O Gd and have mercy on me. Gd, be my help!
12: You changed my wail into dancing for me
You undid my sackcloth and girded me with joy
13: Therefore my whole being (lit: liver) will sing to You and never cease.
Gd, my Gd, I will forever pour forth gratitude to You.
** Translation based on commentary and translations from The Jewish Study Bible, Da’at Mikra, Robert Alter, Norman Fischer and The Anchor Bible Dictionary.