1.
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
Title. Maschil = Instruction. The twelfth of thirteen so named (the thirteenth being Psalms 142 ). See note on Psalms 32 , and App-65 .
Ethan. Mentioned with Heman (Psalms 88 ). A Merarite (1 Chronicles 6:44 ; 1 Chronicles 15:17 ). He seems to have another name, "Jeduthun" (1 Chronicles 25:1 , 1 Chronicles 25:3 , 1Ch 25:6 ; 1 Chronicles 16:41 , 1 Chronicles 16:42 ). The only Psalm ascribed to Ethan. See note on Psalms 89:30 . Ezrahite. See note on Psalms 88 , Title. Compre the case of Elkanah 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 , Psalms 89:2 , Psalms 89:5 , Psa 1:8 , Psa 1:24 , Psa 1:33 , Psa 1:49 ("in thy truth").
2.
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
I have said. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "Thou hast said". Compare Psalms 89:19 . The words of Ethan, reminding Jehovah of His covenant with David.
Mercy = Lovingkindness, or grace. Note "Mercy" (Psalms 89:2 ); "covenant" (Psalms 89:3 ); "seed" (Psalms 89:4 ); repeated below (verses: Psalms 89:19-32 and verses: Psalms 89:33-37 ).
3.
I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
made = solemnized.
covenant. See 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 , &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 .
4.
Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
5.
And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
saints = holy ones, or angels. See preceding line, &c.
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?
who. Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . This is the cry of all His saints. See note on Exodus 15:11 .
heaven = sky. Same word as Psalms 89:37 .
sons of the mighty = sons of Elim = the angels.
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.
GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .
assembly = secret conclave.
8.
O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
LORD. Hebrew Jah. App-4 .
9.
Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
10.
Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
Rahab = Egypt. See note on Psalms 87:4 .
arm. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
11.
The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
the world. Hebrew. tebel = the world as inhabited.
12.
The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
Tabor and Hermon. West and east of the Holy Land; and, with north and south, completing the four points of the compass.
13.
Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
14.
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
Justice = Righteousness.
habitation = foundation.
face. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
15.
Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
Blessed = Happy. Figure of speech Beatitudo. App-6 . See App-63 .
the joyful sound. Of the trumpet's assembling sound. Leviticus 23 .
countenance = face. See Psalms 89:14 .
spiritual blessings symbolized by the feasts = 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
16.
In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
Thy name = Thyself. See note on Psalms 20:1 .
17.
For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
glory = beauty.
horn. Many codices, with four early printed editions, read "horns" (plural); but seven early printed editions read sing,
18.
For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.
defence = shield. Hebrew. ganan, to cover, or protect.
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.
20.
I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
I have found, &c. Quoted in Acts 13:22 .
21.
With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.
22.
The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
wickedness. Hebrew. 'avval. App-44 .
23.
And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.
foes = adversaries.
24.
But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
25.
I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
26.
He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
27.
Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
Higher = MOST HIGH. Hebrew. 'Elyon. App-4 . This looks forward to Immanuel (Isaiah 7:13-15 ; Isaiah 9:6 , Isaiah 9:7 . Micah 5:2 ).
28.
My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
29.
His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
30.
If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
If his children, &c. Ethan refers to the very words of warning given to Solomon (1 Kings 9:6 , 1 Kings 9:7 ; Compare Psa 11:11-13 ), which, with 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.
31.
If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
break = profane.
And keep not. Figure of speech Pleonasm ( App-6 ), for emphasis.
32.
Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
Then will I. Compare 2 Samuel 7:14 .
transgression = revolt. Hebrew. pasha '. App-44 .
iniquity. Hebrew ' av a h . App-44 .
33.
Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
Nevertheless. Figure of speech Palinodia. App-6 . Compare 2 Samuel 7:15 .
lovingkindness = grace.
34.
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
break = profane.
alter = violate.
35.
Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
36.
His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me.
His seed, &c. Compare John 12:34 .
37.
It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
a faithful witness: i.e. the sun (Compare Psalms 89:36 ). See note on "testimony" (Psalms 19:7 ). Revelation 1:5 ; Revelation 3:14 .
Selah. Connecting the above solemn warning with the fulfilment in the visitation of judgment in the next member. See App-66 .
38.
But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.
Thine = Thine own.
39.
Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.
made void = disowned only here and in Lamentations 2:7 . Lam 2:45
Selah. Connecting the visitation with the prayer for its removal. See App-66 .
40.
Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.
41.
All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.
42.
Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
43.
Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.
44.
Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.
45.
The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.
46.
How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?
Shall. Supply Ellipsis from preceding line: "[How long] shall", &c.
47.
Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
time = lifetime.
men = sons of Adam. App-14 .
48.
What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.
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 .
49.
Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?
LORD *. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim altered Jehovah to Adonai. See App-32 .
swarest. See 2 Samuel 7 , and note on Psalms 89:3 .
truth = faithfulness. Same word as rendered "faithfulness" in Psalms 89:1 . Here, the last of the seven occurrences.
50.
Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;
51.
Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.
52.
Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.