Psalm 89, Part 1: Praise God for His Promises

Psalm 89 deals with the covenant between God and David and therefore has been called the “Psalm of the Covenant.” God had promised to establish David’s throne forever (v. 4). Now it seemed God had broken His promise (v. 38).

Yet God reigns supreme above all humankind.

Even the angels in heaven cannot compare to His power (vv. 5–7).

God commands the seas (Job 38:8–11; Psalms 65:7; 107:23–30; Matthew 8:26, 27). He broke the power of Egypt and scattered her forces. He created all things in heaven and on earth (Psalm 89:9–12). God’s character is defined by justice, mercy, and truth.

Those who bask in the presence of God are blessed because they know the joy of salvation (vv. 14, 15). Their strength is increased, and their defense is solid.

Therefore, David praises God; “the Holy One of Israel is our king” (v. 18).

Thus far, David has extolled the wonders of God—His strength, His justice and judgment, His mercy and truth, and His righteousness.

Now David reminds God of their covenant and wonders why God has seemingly broken it. He recalls how he was chosen from among common men of Israel (v. 19) and given strength and power to do God’s will (v. 21). God had promised to defeat David’s enemies while showing him tender mercy (vv. 23, 24). David had called God “my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation” (v. 26). The feeling had been reciprocated, for God had called David his “firstborn” son (v. 27). “David was the first from whom a line of royal descendants was to extend to the Messiah.”2 God had promised to make David higher than the kings of the earth (v. 27). His throne would endure forever, even “as the days of heaven” (v. 29).

David’s children might forsake God and break His law, thus requiring God to punish them, but God would remain faithful and keep their covenant intact.

David acknowledges that once God has sworn something, He does not go back on His word (vv. 30–35)! God is faithful, loving, and kind (vv. 1, 2, 5, 8, 14, 24, 28, 33, 49).

“Now thank we all our God / With heart and hands and voices.”