Psalm 89:1–2, 5–8, 15–18

Bible Studies for Life
Assistant Professor of Religion, Samford University

God’s Promise of Faithfulness

Psalm 89:1–2, 5–8, 15–18

The book of Psalms is perhaps best known for its many songs of praise and thanksgiving. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,” “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth” — the words of these psalms and others like them have long been a regular part of the worship of God’s people. But there are other psalms that have played a much less prominent role in the Church — the songs of lament. Despite comprising nearly half of the Psalter, the songs of lament are rarely featured in Christian worship. Emerging as they do from times of distress and even despair these psalms express emotions that can be uncomfortable to hear. Yet the sentiments are often just the sort of feelings we too experience when we encounter rocky patches in our walk of faith. 

The psalmist who composed Psalm 89 had clearly experienced such a crisis. One of the great hallmarks of Israelite belief was the conviction that God had entered into an eternal covenant with King David, that there would never fail to be a Davidic descendant ruling the nation. In the words conveyed by the prophet Nathan, “Your house and Your kingdom will endure forever before me; Your throne will be established forever” (2 Sam. 7:16). But in the eyes of the psalmist these words had proved hollow. After an extended affirmation of God’s covenant with David in verses 1–37 the psalmist’s words turn to bitter lament: “But You have rejected, You have spurned, You have been very angry with Your anointed one. You have renounced the covenant with Your servant and have defiled his crown in the dust.” After witnessing the humiliation and perhaps even the early demise of the Davidic descendant (vv. 40–45) the psalmist worried that God had abandoned altogether His covenant with Israel’s greatest king. In such a moment, worry could have turned into despair. Yet in the midst of his darkest moment the psalmist cried out not only with lament but also with words of hope.

God’s faithfulness is a cause for praise. (1–2)

As is the case with most psalms, the theme of Psalm 89 is revealed in the first few lines. Although the rest of the psalm will move deliberately through moments of joy and sorrow, the overall theme of the psalm is captured in its first words: “With my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that Your love stands firm forever, that You have established Your faithfulness in heaven itself.” The psalmist may struggle with doubt, but he knows that in the end God will prove faithful. His loyal love stands firm forever.

God’s faithfulness is celebrated in heaven. (5–8)

The psalmist is equally confident in the supremacy of God and His ability to restore the nation and its king to its rightful place. In verses 5–8 the psalmist extols the incomparability of God, celebrating the fact that Israel’s God far surpasses the gods of the nations that surrounded her. The God who rules creation, the psalmist argues, will restore rule to the Davidic king.

God’s faithfulness is experienced by His followers. (15–18)

In another affirmation of his faith the psalmist goes on in verses 15–18 to pronounce a blessing on those who remain steadfast in their praise of Israel’s God. Whatever difficulties may befall the nation and its king the psalmist remains confident that deliverance lies with God alone. Even in his darkest moments the psalmist insisted, “Our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.”