---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 89"
description: "PSALM 89   :-. Of Ethan—(See on  :-, title). This Psalm was composed during some season of great
national distress, perhaps Absalom"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/89"
---

PSALM 89

. *Of Ethan*—(See on , 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 ), 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
([Isaiah 55:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/55/3); [Acts 13:34](../../../kjv/acts/13/34)),
and—
**faithfulness**—that is,
in fulfilling them.

**2. I have said**—expressed, as
well as felt, my convictions ().

**3, 4.** The object of this faith
expressed in God's words ().
**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 [Deuteronomy 33:2](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/33/2);
[Daniel 8:13](../../../kjv/daniel/8/13)).
**sons of the mighty**—(compare
[Psalms 29:1](../../../kjv/psalms/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 (), 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.

**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 (), 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.

**15.** His government of
righteousness is served by "mercy" and "truth" as
ministers ([Psalms 85:10-13](../../../kjv/psalms/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 ([Leviticus 25:9](../../../kjv/leviticus/25/9), c.).
**walk . . . countenance**—live
in His favor ([Psalms 4:6](../../../kjv/psalms/4/6) [Psalms 44:3](../../../kjv/psalms/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 ([Psalms 75:10](../../../kjv/psalms/75/10); [Luke 1:69](../../../kjv/luke/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 (). *Nathan* is meant ([2 Samuel 7:17](../../../kjv/2-samuel/7/17);
[1 Chronicles 17:3-15](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/17/3-15)).
**laid help**—literally,
"given help." David was chosen and then exalted.

**20. I have found**—having sought
and then selected him ().

**21.** will protect and sustain
([Isaiah 41:10](../../../kjv/isaiah/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 ([Psalms 17:7](../../../kjv/psalms/17/7);
[Psalms 60:5](../../../kjv/psalms/60/5)).
**sea, and . . . rivers**—limits
of his empire ([Psalms 72:8](../../../kjv/psalms/72/8)).

**26, 27. first-born**—one who is
chief, most beloved or distinguished ([Exodus 4:22](../../../kjv/exodus/4/22);
[Colossians 1:15](../../../kjv/colossians/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 ([Psalms 72:5](../../../kjv/psalms/72/5);
[Psalms 72:7](../../../kjv/psalms/72/7); [Psalms 72:17](../../../kjv/psalms/72/17)).

**35. Once**—one thing ().
**by my holiness**—as a
holy God.
**that I will not
lie**—literally, "if I lie"—part of the form of
swearing ([1 Samuel 24:6](../../../kjv/1-samuel/24/6); [2 Samuel 3:35](../../../kjv/2-samuel/3/35)).

**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 ([Psalms 72:5](../../../kjv/psalms/72/5);
[Psalms 72:7](../../../kjv/psalms/72/7); [Psalms 72:17](../../../kjv/psalms/72/17)).

**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 [Psalms 15:4](../../../kjv/psalms/15/4); [Psalms 43:2](../../../kjv/psalms/43/2);
[Psalms 44:9](../../../kjv/psalms/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"
([Joshua 5:2](../../../kjv/joshua/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
[Psalms 13:1](../../../kjv/psalms/13/1) [Psalms 88:14](../../../kjv/psalms/88/14);
[Jeremiah 4:4](../../../kjv/jeremiah/4/4)).

**47.** These expostulations are
excited in view of the identity of the prosperity of this kingdom
with the welfare of *all mankind* ([Genesis 22:18](../../../kjv/genesis/22/18);
[Psalms 72:17](../../../kjv/psalms/72/17); [Isaiah 9:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/9/7);
[Isaiah 11:1-10](../../../kjv/isaiah/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 [Isaiah 37:17-35](../../../kjv/isaiah/37/17-35)).

**50. bear in my bosom**—as
feeling the affliction of the people ().
**footsteps**—ways ().

**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 [Isaiah 37:17-35](../../../kjv/isaiah/37/17-35)).

**52. Blessed,** &c.—denotes
returning confidence ().
**Amen, and Amen**—closes
the third book of Psalms.

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