Psalms 89
Psalm 89 is divided into three main parts. First, from verses 1 to 18, it praises the LORD’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Second, from verses 19 to 37, it mentions the covenant and promises that God gave to David and his descendants. Third, from verse 38 to the final verse 52, it consists of the psalmist’s lament and prayers amid the real-life suffering he experienced, and a situation in which it seems as though God’s promises are not being kept.
1verseA contemplation by Ethan, the Ezrahite. I will sing of the loving kindness of the LORD forever. With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
2verseI indeed declare, “Love stands firm forever. You established the heavens. Your faithfulness is in them.”
3verse“I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David, my servant,
4verse‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build up your throne to all generations.’” Selah.
5verseThe heavens will praise your wonders, LORD, your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
6verseFor who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the sons of the heavenly beings is like the LORD,
7versea very awesome God in the council of the holy ones, to be feared above all those who are around him?
8verseLORD, God of Armies, who is a mighty one, like you? LORD, your faithfulness is around you.
9verseYou rule the pride of the sea. When its waves rise up, you calm them.
10verseYou have broken Rahab in pieces, like one of the slain. You have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11verseThe heavens are yours. The earth also is yours, the world and its fullness. You have founded them.
12verseYou have created the north and the south. Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.
13verseYou have a mighty arm. Your hand is strong, and your right hand is exalted.
14verseRighteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.
15verseBlessed are the people who learn to acclaim you. They walk in the light of your presence, LORD.
16verseIn your name they rejoice all day. In your righteousness, they are exalted.
17verseFor you are the glory of their strength. In your favor, our horn will be exalted.
18verseFor our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel.
19verseThen you spoke in vision to your saints, and said, “I have given strength to the warrior. I have exalted a young man from the people.
20verseI have found David, my servant. I have anointed him with my holy oil,
21versewith whom my hand shall be established. My arm will also strengthen him.
22verseNo enemy will tax him. No wicked man will oppress him.
23verseI will beat down his adversaries before him, and strike those who hate him.
24verseBut my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him. In my name, his horn will be exalted.
25verseI will set his hand also on the sea, and his right hand on the rivers.
26verseHe will call to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation!’
27verseI will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
28verseI will keep my loving kindness for him forever more. My covenant will stand firm with him.
29verseI will also make his offspring endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
30verseIf his children forsake my law, and don’t walk in my ordinances;
31verseif they break my statutes, and don’t keep my commandments;
32versethen I will punish their sin with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
33verseBut I will not completely take my loving kindness from him, nor allow my faithfulness to fail.
34verseI will not break my covenant, nor alter what my lips have uttered.
35verseOnce I have sworn by my holiness, I will not lie to David.
36verseHis offspring will endure forever, his throne like the sun before me.
37verseIt will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah.
38verseBut you have rejected and spurned. You have been angry with your anointed.
39verseYou have renounced the covenant of your servant. You have defiled his crown in the dust.
40verseYou have broken down all his hedges. You have brought his strongholds to ruin.
41verseAll who pass by the way rob him. He has become a reproach to his neighbors.
42verseYou have exalted the right hand of his adversaries. You have made all of his enemies rejoice.
43verseYes, you turn back the edge of his sword, and haven’t supported him in battle.
44verseYou have ended his splendor, and thrown his throne down to the ground.
45verseYou have shortened the days of his youth. You have covered him with shame. Selah.
46verseHow long, LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? Will your wrath burn like fire?
47verseRemember how short my time is, for what vanity you have created all the children of men!
48verseWhat man is he who shall live and not see death, who shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.
49verseLord, where are your former loving kindnesses, which you swore to David in your faithfulness?
50verseRemember, Lord, the reproach of your servants, how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the mighty peoples,
51verseWith which your enemies have mocked, LORD, with which they have mocked the footsteps of your anointed one.
52verseBlessed be the LORD forever more. Amen, and Amen.
Verses 1-18: Praise for God’s Faithfulness and Power
In this section, the psalmist praises God’s steadfast love, unwavering love, and faithfulness. The world God created and His rule, His sovereignty (especially His control over the sea and the sky, and over all of nature), are emphasized. God is described as a powerful being who nevertheless values His people and keeps His covenant.
Verses 19-37: The Reminder of the Davidic Covenant
In this passage, it is emphasized that God promises David and his descendants an eternal throne. It repeatedly affirms that God anointed David and that the covenant made with his descendants is like what kind of agreement it is. In particular, verses 30-34 highlight that even with human weakness and wrongdoing, God’s promise will be faithfully kept.
Verses 38-52: Suffering in Reality and Prayer
As we move into the latter part, the psalmist laments as he experiences a situation in which it seems that God’s covenant is not being kept in the midst of reality. We see the Davidic line facing difficulties and being put to shame and mocked. Nevertheless, the psalmist prays to God, asking, “How long?” and asks that God’s faithfulness will be restored again. The final verse 52 concludes that all praise returns to God.
Meditation Points
- From beginning to end, the psalmist does not lose sight of the fact that God is faithful.
- You can see the appearance of an honest faith that acknowledges the gap between reality and God’s promises.
- It includes the trust that, unlike surface-level circumstances, God’s promises are still being fulfilled deeply.
Try Applying It to Me
- Can I also think first of God’s faithfulness in my own life?
- I can cultivate an attitude of faith that holds on to God’s promises and covenant even in difficult situations.
- Even amid the real hardships I face, I can learn the courage to approach God honestly and pray.
