1 [[Maschil H4905 of Ethan H387 the Ezrahite.]] H250 I will sing H7891 of the mercies H2617 of the LORD H3068 for ever: H5769 with my mouth H6310 will I make known H3045 thy faithfulness H530 to all H1755 generations. H1755
2 For I have said, H559 Mercy H2617 shall be built up H1129 for ever: H5769 thy faithfulness H530 shalt thou establish H3559 in the very heavens. H8064
3 I have made H3772 a covenant H1285 with my chosen, H972 I have sworn H7650 unto David H1732 my servant, H5650
4 Thy seed H2233 will I establish H3559 for H5704 ever, H5769 and build up H1129 thy throne H3678 to all H1755 generations. H1755 Selah. H5542
5 And the heavens H8064 shall praise H3034 thy wonders, H6382 O LORD: H3068 thy faithfulness H530 also in the congregation H6951 of the saints. H6918
6 For who in the heaven H7834 can be compared H6186 unto the LORD? H3068 who among the sons H1121 of the mighty H410 can be likened H1819 unto the LORD? H3068
7 God H410 is greatly H7227 to be feared H6206 in the assembly H5475 of the saints, H6918 and to be had in reverence H3372 of all them that are about H5439 him.
8 O LORD H3068 God H430 of hosts, H6635 who is a strong H2626 LORD H3050 like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness H530 round about H5439 thee?
9 Thou rulest H4910 the raging H1348 of the sea: H3220 when the waves H1530 thereof arise, H7721 thou stillest H7623 them.
10 Thou hast broken H1792 Rahab H7294 in pieces, H1792 as one that is slain; H2491 thou hast scattered H6340 thine enemies H341 with thy strong H5797 arm. H2220
11 The heavens H8064 are thine, the earth H776 also is thine: as for the world H8398 and the fulness H4393 thereof, thou hast founded H3245 them.
12 The north H6828 and the south H3225 thou hast created H1254 them: Tabor H8396 and Hermon H2768 shall rejoice H7442 in thy name. H8034
13 Thou hast a mighty H1369 arm: H2220 strong H5810 is thy hand, H3027 and high H7311 is thy right hand. H3225
14 Justice H6664 and judgment H4941 are the habitation H4349 of thy throne: H3678 mercy H2617 and truth H571 shall go H6923 before thy face. H6440
15 Blessed H835 is the people H5971 that know H3045 the joyful sound: H8643 they shall walk, H1980 O LORD, H3068 in the light H216 of thy countenance. H6440
16 In thy name H8034 shall they rejoice H1523 all the day: H3117 and in thy righteousness H6666 shall they be exalted. H7311
17 For thou art the glory H8597 of their strength: H5797 and in thy favour H7522 our horn H7161 shall be exalted. H7311 H7311
18 For the LORD H3068 is our defence; H4043 and the Holy One H6918 of Israel H3478 is our king. H4428
19 Then thou spakest H1696 in vision H2377 to thy holy one, H2623 and saidst, H559 I have laid H7737 help H5828 upon one that is mighty; H1368 I have exalted H7311 one chosen H977 out of the people. H5971
20 I have found H4672 David H1732 my servant; H5650 with my holy H6944 oil H8081 have I anointed H4886 him:
21 With whom my hand H3027 shall be established: H3559 mine arm H2220 also shall strengthen H553 him.
22 The enemy H341 shall not exact H5378 upon him; nor the son H1121 of wickedness H5766 afflict H6031 him.
23 And I will beat down H3807 his foes H6862 before his face, H6440 and plague H5062 them that hate H8130 him.
24 But my faithfulness H530 and my mercy H2617 shall be with him: and in my name H8034 shall his horn H7161 be exalted. H7311
25 I will set H7760 his hand H3027 also in the sea, H3220 and his right hand H3225 in the rivers. H5104
26 He shall cry H7121 unto me, Thou art my father, H1 my God, H410 and the rock H6697 of my salvation. H3444
27 Also I will make H5414 him my firstborn, H1060 higher H5945 than the kings H4428 of the earth. H776
28 My mercy H2617 will I keep H8104 for him for evermore, H5769 and my covenant H1285 shall stand fast H539 with him.
29 His seed H2233 also will I make H7760 to endure for ever, H5703 and his throne H3678 as the days H3117 of heaven. H8064
30 If his children H1121 forsake H5800 my law, H8451 and walk H3212 not in my judgments; H4941
31 If they break H2490 my statutes, H2708 and keep H8104 not my commandments; H4687
32 Then will I visit H6485 their transgression H6588 with the rod, H7626 and their iniquity H5771 with stripes. H5061
33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness H2617 will I not utterly take H6331 from him, nor suffer my faithfulness H530 to fail. H8266
34 My covenant H1285 will I not break, H2490 nor alter H8138 the thing that is gone out H4161 of my lips. H8193
35 Once H259 have I sworn H7650 by my holiness H6944 that I will not lie H3576 unto David. H1732
36 His seed H2233 shall endure for ever, H5769 and his throne H3678 as the sun H8121 before me.
37 It shall be established H3559 for ever H5769 as the moon, H3394 and as a faithful H539 witness H5707 in heaven. H7834 Selah. H5542
38 But thou hast cast off H2186 and abhorred, H3988 thou hast been wroth H5674 with thine anointed. H4899
39 Thou hast made void H5010 the covenant H1285 of thy servant: H5650 thou hast profaned H2490 his crown H5145 by casting it to the ground. H776
40 Thou hast broken down H6555 all his hedges; H1448 thou hast brought H7760 his strong holds H4013 to ruin. H4288
41 All that pass by H5674 the way H1870 spoil H8155 him: he is a reproach H2781 to his neighbours. H7934
42 Thou hast set up H7311 the right hand H3225 of his adversaries; H6862 thou hast made all his enemies H341 to rejoice. H8055
43 Thou hast also turned H7725 the edge H6697 of his sword, H2719 and hast not made him to stand H6965 in the battle. H4421
44 Thou hast made his glory H2892 to cease, H7673 and cast H4048 his throne H3678 down H4048 to the ground. H776
45 The days H3117 of his youth H5934 hast thou shortened: H7114 thou hast covered H5844 him with shame. H955 Selah. H5542
46 How long, LORD? H3068 wilt thou hide H5641 thyself for ever? H5331 shall thy wrath H2534 burn H1197 like fire? H784
47 Remember H2142 how short H2465 my time is: wherefore hast thou made H1254 all men H1121 H120 in vain? H7723
48 What man H1397 is he that liveth, H2421 and shall not see H7200 death? H4194 shall he deliver H4422 his soul H5315 from the hand H3027 of the grave? H7585 Selah. H5542
49 Lord, H136 where are thy former H7223 lovingkindnesses, H2617 which thou swarest H7650 unto David H1732 in thy truth? H530
50 Remember, H2142 Lord, H136 the reproach H2781 of thy servants; H5650 how I do bear H5375 in my bosom H2436 the reproach of all the mighty H7227 people; H5971
51 Wherewith thine enemies H341 have reproached, H2778 O LORD; H3068 wherewith they have reproached H2778 the footsteps H6119 of thine anointed. H4899
52 Blessed H1288 be the LORD H3068 for evermore. H5769 Amen, H543 and Amen. H543
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 89
Commentary on Psalms 89 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 89
Ps 89:1-52. Of Ethan—(See on Ps 88:1, title). This Psalm was composed during some season of great national distress, perhaps Absalom's rebellion. It contrasts the promised prosperity and perpetuity of David's throne (with reference to the great promise of 2Sa 7:12-17), with a time when God appeared to have forgotten His covenant. The picture thus drawn may typify the promises and the adversities of Christ's kingdom, and the terms of confiding appeal to God provided appropriate prayers for the divine aid and promised blessing.
1. mercies—those promised (Isa 55:3; Ac 13:34), and—
faithfulness—that is, in fulfilling them.
2. I have said—expressed, as well as felt, my convictions (2Co 4:13).
3, 4. The object of this faith expressed in God's words (2Sa 7:11-16).
with—or literally, "to"
my chosen—as the covenant is in the form of a promise.
6, 7. This is worthy of our belief, for His faithfulness (is praised) by the congregation of saints or holy ones; that is, angels (compare De 33:2; Da 8:13).
sons of the mighty—(compare Ps 29:1). So is He to be admired on earth.
8-14. To illustrate His power and faithfulness examples are cited from history. His control of the sea (the most mighty and unstable object in nature), and of Egypt (Ps 87:4), the first great foe of Israel (subjected to utter helplessness from pride and insolence), are specimens. At the same time, the whole frame of nature founded and sustained by Him, Tabor and Hermon for "east and west," and "north and south," together representing the whole world, declare the same truth as to His attributes.
12. rejoice in thy name—praise Thy perfections by their very existence.
15. His government of righteousness is served by "mercy" and "truth" as ministers (Ps 85:10-13).
know the joyful sound—understand and appreciate the spiritual blessings symbolized by the feasts to which the people were called by the trumpet (Le 25:9, &c.).
walk … countenance—live in His favor (Ps 4:6; 44:3).
16, 17. in—or, "by"
thy righteousness—Thy faithful just rule.
glory—or, "beauty."
of their strength—They shall be adorned as well as protected.
our horn—exalt our power (Ps 75:10; Lu 1:69).
18. (Margin). Thus is introduced the promise to "our shield," "our king," David.
19-37. Then—when the covenant was established, of whose execution the exalted views of God now given furnish assurance.
thou … to thy holy one—or godly saint, object of favor (Ps 4:3). Nathan is meant (2Sa 7:17; 1Ch 17:3-15).
laid help—literally, "given help." David was chosen and then exalted.
20. I have found—having sought and then selected him (1Sa 16:1-6).
21. will protect and sustain (Isa 41:10),
22-25. by restraining and conquering his enemies, and performing My gracious purpose of extending his dominion—
25. hand [and] right hand—power (Ps 17:7; 60:5).
sea, and … rivers—limits of his empire (Ps 72:8).
26, 27. first-born—one who is chief, most beloved or distinguished (Ex 4:22; Col 1:15). In God's sight and purposes he was the first among all monarchs, and specially so in his typical relation to Christ.
28-37. This relation is perpetual with David's descendants, as a whole typical in official position of his last greatest descendant. Hence though in personal relations any of them might be faithless and so punished, their typical relation shall continue. His oath confirms His promise, and the most enduring objects of earth and heaven illustrate its perpetual force (Ps 72:5, 7, 17).
35. Once—one thing (Ps 27:4).
by my holiness—as a holy God.
that I will not lie—literally, "if I lie"—part of the form of swearing (1Sa 24:6; 2Sa 3:35).
37. It shall … moon … heaven—literally, "As the moon, and the witness in the sky is sure, that is, the moon."
38-52. present a striking contrast to these glowing promises, in mournful evidences of a loss of God's favor.
cast off—and rejected (compare Ps 15:4; 43:2; 44:9).
39. An insult to the "crown," as of divine origin, was a profanation.
40-45. The ruin is depicted under several figures—a vineyard whose broken "hedges," and "strongholds," whose ruins invite spoilers and invaders; a warrior, whose enemies are aided by God, and whose sword's "edge"—literally, "rock" or "strength" (Jos 5:2) is useless; and a youth prematurely old.
45. days of his youth—or, "youthful vigor," that is, of the royal line, or promised perpetual kingdom, under the figure of a man.
46. How long, &c.—(Compare Ps 13:1; 88:14; Jer 4:4).
47. These expostulations are excited in view of the identity of the prosperity of this kingdom with the welfare of all mankind (Ge 22:18; Ps 72:17; Isa 9:7; 11:1-10); for if such is the fate of this chosen royal line.
48. What man—literally, "strong man—shall live?" and, indeed, have not all men been made in vain, as to glorifying God?
49-51. The terms of expostulation are used in view of the actual appearance that God had forsaken His people and forgotten His promise, and the plea for aid is urged in view of the reproaches of His and His people's enemies (compare Isa 37:17-35).
50. bear in my bosom—as feeling the affliction of the people (Ps 69:9).
footsteps—ways (Ps 56:6).
52. Blessed, &c.—denotes returning confidence (Ps 34:1-3).
Amen, and Amen—closes the third book of Psalms.