Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Psalms » Chapter 89 » Verse 16-27

Psalms 89:16-27 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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

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.