---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "Title. Maschil = Instruction. The twelfth of thirteen so named (the thirteenth being Psalms 142:0 ). See note on Psalms 32:0 , and App-65 .  Ethan. Menti"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/psalms/89"
---

**Title. Maschil** = Instruction. The twelfth of thirteen so named (the thirteenth being [Psalms 142](../../../kjv/psalms/142) ). See note on [Psalms 32](../../../kjv/psalms/32) , and App-65 .
**Ethan.** Mentioned with Heman ([Psalms 88](../../../kjv/psalms/88) ). A Merarite ([1 Chronicles 6:44](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/44) ; [1 Chronicles 15:17](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/15/17) ). He seems to have another name, "Jeduthun" ([1 Chronicles 25:1](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/25/1) , [1 Chronicles 25:3](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/25/3) , 1Ch 25:6 ; [1 Chronicles 16:41](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/16/41) , [1 Chronicles 16:42](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/16/42) ). The only Psalm ascribed to Ethan. See note on [Psalms 89:30](../../../kjv/psalms/89/30) . Ezrahite. See note on [Psalms 88](../../../kjv/psalms/88) , Title. Compre the case of Elkanah [1 Samuel 1:1](../../../kjv/1-samuel/1/1) ).
**mercies** = lovingkindnesses. Plural of majesty = the great lovingkindness.
**the LORD.** Hebrew. *Jehovah.* App-4 .
**faithfulness** = truth. Hebrew. *'emunah.* Seven times reiterated in this Psalm: verses: [Psalms 89:1](../../../kjv/psalms/89/1) , [Psalms 89:2](../../../kjv/psalms/89/2) , [Psalms 89:5](../../../kjv/psalms/89/5) , Psa 1:8 , Psa 1:24 , Psa 1:33 , Psa 1:49 ("in thy truth").

**I have said.** Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "Thou hast said". Compare [Psalms 89:19](../../../kjv/psalms/89/19) . The words of Ethan, reminding Jehovah of His covenant with David.
**Mercy** = Lovingkindness, or grace. Note "Mercy" ([Psalms 89:2](../../../kjv/psalms/89/2) ); "covenant" ([Psalms 89:3](../../../kjv/psalms/89/3) ); "seed" ([Psalms 89:4](../../../kjv/psalms/89/4) ); repeated below (verses: [Psalms 89:19-32](../../../kjv/psalms/89/19-32) and verses: [Psalms 89:33-37](../../../kjv/psalms/89/33-37) ).

**made** = solemnized.
**covenant.** See [2 Samuel 7](../../../kjv/2-samuel/7) , where Jehovah, being the only party, the covenant is *unconditional,* and = a "promise" among "the sure mercies of David", &c. But it looks beyond David.
**sworn.** See [2 Samuel 7:11](../../../kjv/2-samuel/7/11) , &c.; the word is not used there, but the terms of the oath are given.
**Selah.** Connecting the recital of Jehovah's covenant with the praise offered for it. See App-66 .

**saints** = holy ones, or angels. See preceding line, &c.

**who.** Figure of speech *Erotesis.* App-6 . This is the cry of all His saints. See note on [Exodus 15:11](../../../kjv/exodus/15/11) .
**heaven** = sky. Same word as [Psalms 89:37](../../../kjv/psalms/89/37) .
**sons of the mighty** = sons of *Elim* = the angels.

**GOD.** Hebrew El. App-4 .
**assembly** = secret conclave.

**God.** Hebrew. *Elohim.* App-4 .
**LORD.** Hebrew Jah. App-4 .

**Rahab** = Egypt. See note on [Psalms 87:4](../../../kjv/psalms/87/4) .
**arm.** Figure of speech *Anthropopatheia.* App-6 .

**the world.** Hebrew. *tebel =* the world as inhabited.

**Tabor and Hermon.** West and east of the Holy Land; and, with north and south, completing the four points of the compass.

**hand.** Figure of speech *Anthropopatheia.* App-6 .

**Justice** = Righteousness.
**habitation** = foundation.
**face.** Figure of speech *Anthropopatheia.* App-6 .

**Blessed** = Happy. Figure of speech *Beatitudo.* App-6 . See App-63 .
**the joyful sound.** Of the trumpet's assembling sound. [Leviticus 23](../../../kjv/leviticus/23) .
**countenance** = face. See [Psalms 89:14](../../../kjv/psalms/89/14) .
**spiritual blessings symbolized by the feasts** = [1 Corinthians 5:6-8](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/5/6-8)

**Thy name** = Thyself. See note on [Psalms 20:1](../../../kjv/psalms/20/1) .

**glory** = beauty.
**horn.** Many codices, with four early printed editions, read "horns" (plural); but seven early printed editions read sing,

**defence** = shield. Hebrew. *ganan,* to cover, or protect.

**I have found, &c.** Quoted in [Acts 13:22](../../../kjv/acts/13/22) .

**wickedness.** Hebrew. *'avval.* App-44 .

**foes** = adversaries.

**Higher** = MOST HIGH. Hebrew. *'Elyon.* App-4 . This looks forward to Immanuel ([Isaiah 7:13-15](../../../kjv/isaiah/7/13-15) ; [Isaiah 9:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/9/6) , [Isaiah 9:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/9/7) . [Micah 5:2](../../../kjv/micah/5/2) ).

**If his children, &c.** Ethan refers to the very words of warning given to Solomon ([1 Kings 9:6](../../../kjv/1-kings/9/6) , [1 Kings 9:7](../../../kjv/1-kings/9/7) ; Compare Psa 11:11-13 ), which, with [2 Samuel 7](../../../kjv/2-samuel/7) , should be read with this Psalm. Ethan (we may suppose) outlived Solomon, and saw the break-up of the kingdom; and left this Psalm for Instruction *(Maschil)* for all future time.
**children** = sons.
**And walk not.** Figure of speech *Pleonasm* ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

**break** = profane.
**And keep not.** Figure of speech *Pleonasm* ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

**Then will I.** Compare [2 Samuel 7:14](../../../kjv/2-samuel/7/14) .
**transgression** = revolt. Hebrew. *pasha* '. App-44 .
**iniquity.** Hebrew ' *av* a *h* . App-44 .

**Nevertheless.** Figure of speech *Palinodia.* App-6 . Compare [2 Samuel 7:15](../../../kjv/2-samuel/7/15) .
**lovingkindness** = grace.

**break** = profane.
**alter** = violate.

**His seed, &c.** Compare [John 12:34](../../../kjv/john/12/34) .

**a faithful witness:** i.e. the sun (Compare [Psalms 89:36](../../../kjv/psalms/89/36) ). See note on "testimony" ([Psalms 19:7](../../../kjv/psalms/19/7) ). [Revelation 1:5](../../../kjv/revelation/1/5) ; [Revelation 3:14](../../../kjv/revelation/3/14) .
**Selah.** Connecting the above solemn warning with the fulfilment in the visitation of judgment in the next member. See App-66 .

**Thine** = Thine own.

**made void** = disowned only here and in [Lamentations 2:7](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/7) . Lam 2:45
**Selah.** Connecting the visitation with the prayer for its removal. See App-66 .

**Shall.** Supply Ellipsis from preceding line: "[How long] shall", &c.

**time** = lifetime.
**men** = sons of Adam. App-14 .

**man** = strong man. Hebrew. *geber.* App-14 .
**soul.** Hebrew. *nephesh* . App-13 .
**hand.** Put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Cause), App-6 , for the power exercised by it.
**the grave.** Hebrew. *Sheol.* App-35 .
**Selah.** Connecting the fact of man's frailty (even of the strongest) with the renewed and increased fervour of his complaint. See App-66 .

**LORD *.** One of the 134 places where the *Sopherim* altered Jehovah to Adonai. See App-32 .
**swarest.** See [2 Samuel 7](../../../kjv/2-samuel/7) , and note on [Psalms 89:3](../../../kjv/psalms/89/3) .
**truth** = faithfulness. Same word as rendered "faithfulness" in [Psalms 89:1](../../../kjv/psalms/89/1) . Here, the last of the seven occurrences.

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