Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 89

Introduction

1  The psalmist praises God for his covenant;
5  for his wonderful power;
15  for the care of his church;
19  for his favour to the kingdom of David.
38  Then complaining of contrary events,
46  he expostulates, prays, and blesses God.
Verse 1

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
A. M. cir. 3463. B.C. cir. 541. (Title.) Maschil, etc. or, A Psalm for Ethan, the Ezrahite, to give instructions. This Psalm is generally supposed to have been written during the Babylonian captivity, when, the family of David being dethroned, and the royal family ruined, the Divine promises had apparently failed
Ethan
1 Kings 4:31, 1 Chronicles 2:6
I will
86:12,13, 101:1, 106:1, 136:1-26
with
40:9,10, 71:8,15-19
thy faithfulness
5,8,33,49, 36:5, 92:2, Isaiah 25:1, Lamentations 3:23, Micah 7:20, Titus 1:2
all generations
Heb. generation and generation.
4, 119:90; *marg:
Verse 2

For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
Mercy
36:5, 103:17, Nehemiah 1:5, 9:17,31, Luke 1:50, Ephesians 1:6,7, 5,37, 119:89, 146:6, Numbers 23:19, Matthew 24:35, Hebrews 6:18
Verse 3

I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
made
28,34,39, 2 Samuel 7:10-16, 23:5, 1 Kings 8:16, Isaiah 55:3, Jeremiah 30:9, 33:20,21, Ezekiel 34:23,24, Hosea 3:5, Luke 1:32,33
my chosen
19, 78:70, Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 3:17, 12:18-21
sworn
35, 132:11, 2 Samuel 3:9, Acts 2:30, Hebrews 7:21
Verse 4

Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
1,29,36, 72:17, 132:12, 2 Samuel 7:12-16,29, 1 Kings 9:5, 1 Chronicles 17:10-14, 1 Chronicles 22:10, Isaiah 9:6,7, Zechariah 12:8, Luke 1:32,33, 20:41-44, Acts 13:32-37, Romans 1:3,4, 15:12, Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 22:16
Verse 5

And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
heavens
19:1, 50:6, 97:6, Isaiah 44:23, Luke 2:10-15, Ephesians 3:10, 1 Peter 1:12, Revelation 5:11-14, 7:10-12
in the congregation
7, Deuteronomy 33:2, Daniel 7:10, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Hebrews 12:22,23, Jude 1:14,15, Revelation 19:1-6
Verse 6

For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
For who
8, 40:5, 71:19, 73:25, 86:8, 113:5, Exodus 15:11, Jeremiah 10:6
the sons
29:1; *marg:; 52:1
Verse 7

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
76:7-11, Leviticus 10:3, Isaiah 6:2-7, 66:2, Jeremiah 10:7,10, Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:4,5, Acts 5:11, Hebrews 12:28,29, Revelation 15:3,4
Verse 8

O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
O Lord
84:12, Joshua 22:22, Isaiah 28:22
a strong
13, 24:8, 147:5, 1 Samuel 15:19, Job 9:19, Isaiah 40:25,26, Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 6:13
like
6, 35:10, 71:19, Deuteronomy 32:31, 1 Samuel 2:2
Verse 9

Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
29:10, 65:7, 66:5,6, 93:3,4, 107:25-29, Job 38:8-11, Nahum 1:4, Matthew 8:24-27, 14:32, Mark 4:39,41
Verse 10

Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
Thou hast
78:43-72, 105:27-45, Exodus 7:1-15
Rahab
or, Egypt. scattered.
59:11, 68:30, 144:6, Isaiah 24:1
thy strong arm
Heb. the arm of thy strength.
Exodus 3:19,20, Deuteronomy 4:34
Verse 11

The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
24:1,2, 50:12, 115:16, Genesis 1:1, 2:1, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Job 41:11, 1 Corinthians 10:26,28
Verse 12

The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
north
Job 26:7
Tabor
Joshua 19:22, Judges 4:6,12
Hermon
133:3, Deuteronomy 3:8,9, Joshua 12:1
rejoice
65:12,13, Isaiah 35:1,2, 49:13, 55:12,13
Verse 13

Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
a mighty arm
Heb. an arm with might.
10, 62:11, Daniel 4:34,35, Matthew 6:13
Verse 14

Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
Justice
45:6,7, 97:2, 99:4, 145:17, Deuteronomy 32:4, Revelation 15:3
habitation
or, establishment.
Proverbs 16:12
mercy
2, 85:13, John 1:17
Verse 15

Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
know
90:6, 98:4-6, 100:1, Leviticus 25:9, Numbers 10:10, 23:21, Isaiah 52:7,8, Nahum 1:15, Luke 2:10-14, Romans 10:15,18
in the light
4:6, 44:3, Numbers 6:26, Job 29:3, Proverbs 16:15, Isaiah 2:5, John 14:21-23, Acts 2:28, Revelation 21:23
Verse 16

In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
name
12, 29:5,7, 33:21, 44:8, Luke 1:47, Philippians 4:4
righteousness
40:10, 71:15,16, Isaiah 45:24,25, 46:13, Jeremiah 23:6, Romans 1:17, 3:21-26, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9
Verse 17

For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
For thou
28:7, 1 Corinthians 1:30,31, 2 Corinthians 12:9,10, Philippians 4:13
our horn
24, 75:10, 92:10, 112:9, 132:17, 148:14, 1 Samuel 2:1,10
Verse 18

For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.
the Lord is, etc
or, our Shield is of the Lord, and our King is of the Holy One of Israel.
47:9, 62:1,2,6, 84:11, 91:1,2, Genesis 15:1, Deuteronomy 33:27-29
Holy
71:22, Isaiah 1:4, 12:6, 29:19, 30:11, 43:3,14
king
44:4, Isaiah 33:22
Verse 19

Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
Then
1 Samuel 16:1, 2 Samuel 7:8-17, Luke 1:70, 2 Peter 1:21, 3:2
to thy holy
Mark 1:24, Revelation 3:7
I have laid
1 Samuel 16:18, Isaiah 9:6, Jeremiah 30:21
exalted
3, 1 Kings 11:34, Philippians 2:6-11, Hebrews 2:9-17
Verse 20

I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
1 Samuel 16:1,12,13, Isaiah 61:1-3, John 3:34
Verse 21

With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.
With
18:32-39, 80:15-17, 2 Samuel 7:8-16, Isaiah 42:1, 49:8
mine
13, Isaiah 41:10, Ezekiel 30:24,25, Zechariah 10:12
Verse 22

The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
enemy
1 Chronicles 17:9, Matthew 4:1-10
son
John 17:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:3
Verse 23

And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.
I will
2 Samuel 3:1, 7:1,9, 22:40-44
plague
2:1-6, 21:8,9, 109:3-31, 110:1, 132:18, Luke 19:14,27, John 15:23
Verse 24

But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
But my
2-5,28,33, 61:7, John 1:17, 2 Corinthians 1:20
in my
16,17, 20:1,5, 91:14, 1 Samuel 2:1, John 17:6,11,26
Verse 25

I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
I will
2:8, 72:8-11, 80:11, 1 Kings 4:21, Revelation 11:15
his hand
That is, his power or authority, as hand frequently signifies: for the accomplishment of these promises, see the parallel texts.
Verse 26

He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
Thou
2 Samuel 7:14, 1 Chronicles 22:10, Matthew 26:39,42, Luke 23:46, John 11:41, 20:17, Hebrews 1:5
God
43:4, Mark 15:34
rock
18:46, 62:2,6,7, 95:1, 2 Samuel 22:47, Isaiah 50:7-9
Verse 27

Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
Also
2:7, Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:15,18
higher
2:10-12, 72:11, Numbers 24:7, 2 Chronicles 1:12, 9:23,24, Isaiah 49:7, Revelation 19:16, Revelation 21:24
Verse 28

My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
mercy
2 Samuel 7:15,16, Isaiah 54:10, 55:3, Acts 13:32-34
covenant
34, 111:5,9, 2 Samuel 23:5, Jeremiah 33:20,21
Verse 29

His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
His seed
4,36, 132:11, 1 Chronicles 17:11,12, Isaiah 59:21, Jeremiah 33:17-26
throne
45:6, 1 Chronicles 22:10, Isaiah 9:7, Ezekiel 37:24,25, Daniel 2:44, Luke 1:32,33
days
21:4, Deuteronomy 11:21
Verse 30

If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
If
132:12, 2 Samuel 7:14, 1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 7:17-22
forsake
119:53, Proverbs 4:2, 28:4, Jeremiah 9:13-16
walk
Ezekiel 18:9,17, 20:19, Luke 1:6
Verse 31

If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
break
Heb. profane.
55:20; *marg:
Verse 32

Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
Exodus 32:34, 2 Samuel 7:14, 1 Kings 11:6,14,31,39, Proverbs 3:11,12, Amos 3:2, 1 Corinthians 11:31,32, Hebrews 12:6-11
Verse 33

Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
Nevertheless
2 Samuel 7:13,15, 1 Kings 11:13,32,36, Isaiah 54:8-10, Jeremiah 33:20-26, Lamentations 3:31,32, 1 Corinthians 15:25
not utterly take
Heb. not make void.
39, 1 Samuel 15:29
fail
Heb. lie.
Hebrews 6:18
Verse 34

My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
covenant
Leviticus 26:44, Jeremiah 14:21, 33:20
nor
Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6, Matthew 24:35, Romans 11:29, James 1:17
Verse 35

Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
Once
110:4, 132:11, Amos 4:2, 8:7, Hebrews 6:13,17
that I will not lie
Heb. If I lie.
2 Thessalonians 2:13, Titus 1:2
Verse 36

His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
seed
4,29, 2 Samuel 7:16, Isaiah 53:10, 59:21, John 12:34
and
72:5,17, Isaiah 9:7, Jeremiah 33:20, Luke 1:33
Verse 37

It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
It shall
That is, as long as the sun and moon shall endure, as long as time shall last, his kingdom shall continue among men. The moon is probably termed a faithful witness, because by her, particularly, time is measured. Her decrease and increase are especially observed by every nation; and by these time is generally estimated, especially among eastern nations:--So many moons is a man old--so many moons since such an event happened; and even their years are reckoned by lunations. Or, the rainbow may be intended; that faithful sign which God has established in the clouds, that the earth shall no more be destroyed by water.
ever
72:7, 104:19, Genesis 1:14-18, Jeremiah 31:35,36
and as
Genesis 9:13-16, Isaiah 54:9,10
Verse 38

But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.
But
44:9-26, 60:1,10, 77:7, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Jeremiah 12:1, Hosea 9:17
and
78:59, 106:40, Deuteronomy 32:19, Lamentations 2:7, Zechariah 11:8
wroth
51, 84:9, 2 Samuel 1:21, 15:26, 2 Chronicles 12:1-12, Lamentations 4:20, Zechariah 13:7
Verse 39

Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.
void
34-36, 77:10, 116:11, John 13:7
profaned
44, 74:7, 143:3, Isaiah 25:12, 43:28, Lamentations 5:16
Verse 40

Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.
broken
80:12, Job 1:10, Isaiah 5:5,6
brought
2 Chronicles 12:2-5, 15:5, Lamentations 2:2,5, Revelation 13:1-7
Verse 41

All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.
All
44:10-14, 80:13, Isaiah 10:6, Jeremiah 50:17
he is
74:10, 79:4, Deuteronomy 28:37, Nehemiah 5:9, Jeremiah 24:9, 29:18, 42:18, 44:8,12, Lamentations 5:1, Ezekiel 5:14,15, Daniel 9:16
Verse 42

Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
Leviticus 26:17,25, Deuteronomy 28:25,43, Lamentations 2:17, John 16:20, Revelation 11:10
Verse 43

Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.
turned
Ezekiel 30:21-25
not made
Leviticus 26:36,37, Numbers 14:42,45, Joshua 7:4,5,8-12, 2 Chronicles 25:8
Verse 44

Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.
Thou
1 Samuel 4:21,22, 1 Kings 12:16-20, 14:25-28, Lamentations 4:1,2, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10
glory
Heb. brightness. cast.
39, Daniel 7:20-25
Verse 45

The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.
The
28,29, 2 Chronicles 10:19, Isaiah 63:18
thou
44:15, 109:29, Micah 7:10
Verse 46

How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?
How
13:1,2, 79:5, 85:5, 90:13
wilt
10:1, 88:14, Job 23:9, Isaiah 8:17, 45:15, Hosea 5:15
thy wrath
78:63, Jeremiah 4:4, 21:12, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Hebrews 12:29
Verse 47

Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
Remember
39:5,6, 119:84, Job 7:7, 9:25,26, 10:9
wherefore
144:4, Job 14:1, James 4:14
Verse 48

What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.
What
49:7-9, Job 30:23, Ecclesiastes 3:19,20, 8:8, 9:5, 12:7, Hebrews 9:27
see death
John 8:51, Hebrews 11:5
shall
49:15, Acts 2:27, 2 Corinthians 4:14
Verse 49

Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?
where
77:9,10, Isaiah 63:7-15
thou
3,4,35, 54:5, 132:11,12, 2 Samuel 3:9, 7:15, Isaiah 55:3, Hebrews 7:21
Verse 50

Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;
44:13-16, 69:9,19,20, 74:18,22, 79:10-12, Romans 15:3
Verse 51

Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.
they have
Matthew 5:10-12, Acts 5:41, 1 Corinthians 4:12,13, Hebrews 10:33, 11:36
footsteps
56:5,6, 57:3, 2 Samuel 16:7,8, Matthew 12:24, 26:61, John 8:48, 1 Peter 2:20,21, 1 Peter 3:16, 4:14-16
Verse 52

Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.
Blessed
This verse ends the third book of the Psalter; and is thought to have been added by a later hand, as it is wanting in two MSS., in another written without points, and in three others written separately from the text; though it is found in all the versions.
41:13, 72:18,19, 106:48, Nehemiah 9:5, Habakkuk 3:17-19, Matthew 6:13, 1 Timothy 1:17

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