KJV:
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life:weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.(Psalms 30:5)
JST:
For his anger kindleth against the wicked;they repent, and in a moment it is turned away,and they are in his favor,and he giveth themlife;therefore, weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.(JST Psalms 30:5)
The KJV makes it seem like God’s anger is a flash in the pan and without any change it is gone. It also doesn’t say what He is angry about, making it seem like God is fickle and erratic and capricious. (Of course, believers know this is not so, but it is good to mention that it is sin He’s angry about.)
The JST clarifies that God’s anger is directed at the wicked, but the moment they repent His anger is turned away. It also expands upon the mercy of God, how not only does He immediately turn away His anger, but repentance brings people into His favor (a 180 degree change), and He gives them life, or spiritual blessings.
This also causes the second line about weeping in the night to make more sense. While the KJV makes it seem like the weeping is generalized grief, with the previous clarifications in the JST it becomes clear that the weeping in the night is someone who is mourning over their sins with intent to repent and change. This kind of grief over sins may endure for a night, but joy (given from God along with forgiveness) comes in the morning after.
I appreciate the JST because it better expresses the holy character of God, both His anger at sin and His approval of repentance. It helps me want to repent quickly because it builds my trust that God will respond quickly and with great mercy.
Do you get anything else from the JST?
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