Psalm 89
A Psalm of Ethan The Ezrahite to Lament A Military Defeat
Scholars are not in agreement on the identity of the “Ethan” by whom or for whom this psalm was written, nor are they sure of the exact circumstances that motivated its composition. But many connect the song with an Ethan mentioned in 1 Kings and the occasion as some military defeat for the army of Israel.
The title of this psalm is A Contemplation of Ethan the Ezrahite. There are several men named Ethan in the Hebrew Scriptures, but this man is mentioned specifically in 1 Kings 4:31 as someone who was famous for his wisdom – yet surpassed by Solomon’s greater wisdom. This means he was likely a contemporary of Solomon and was also alive during the reign of David. - David Guzik
The writer of this royal psalm was Ethan, another wise Levitical musician in David’s service (1 Kings 4:31; 1 Chronicles 15:17-18). The occasion of writing is unclear. Judging from the content of the psalm it appears to have been a time after David had suffered defeat and some severe affliction. Ethan called on God to honor the Davidic Covenant and send the king relief. - Thomas Constable
Apparently Israel had suffered some military setback that threatened its existence. This caused some people to think that God had forsaken his anointed king. The psalmist therefore recalls the covenant promise God made to David to preserve his dynasty for ever, and on the basis of this he claims God’s help. - Don Fleming
Your Faithful Love to Israel
Vs. 1-2 - I will sing about the Lord’s faithful love forever; I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations with my mouth. For I will declare, “Faithful love is built up forever; you establish your faithfulness in the heavens.”
Vs. 5 - Lord, the heavens praise your wonders—your faithfulness also
Vs. 8 - Who is strong like you, Lord? Your faithfulness surrounds you.
Vs. 14 - Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; faithful love and truth go before you.
Psalm 89 begins with grand proclamations of the greatness and faithfulness of God to His people. The lyrics beautifully describe the wonders and wisdom of God evident in all creation and especially in His covenant love for Israel.
These verses exalt the uniqueness of Yahweh. The works he cited were subduing the flood, defeating Egypt (Rahab, cf. Psalms 87:4) at the Exodus, and creating the heavens and earth. He personified Mt. Tabor and Mt. Hermon rejoicing in God’s great power. - Thomas Constable
Your Covenant with David
Vs. 3-4 - The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn an oath to David my servant: ‘I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.’
Vs. 20-22 - I have found David my servant; I have anointed him with my sacred oil. My hand will always be with him, and my arm will strengthen him. The enemy will not oppress him; the wicked will not afflict him.
Vs. 34-35 - I will not violate my covenant or change what my lips have said. Once and for all I have sworn an oath by my holiness; I will not lie to David.
Vs. 49 - Lord, where are the former acts of your faithful love that you swore to David in your faithfulness?
Following his emphasis on the faithfulness of God, the psalmist pivots to a description of the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17), highlighting the promises God made to King David concerning his posterity and the blessings his house would bring to Israel.
God had promised to bless David with success and power. He had foretold that David would defeat his enemies and extend his influence greatly. Sin and disobedience would not cancel God’s promises to David in the covenant. They would bring discipline on the offenders, but God swore to deliver the blessings He had promised David. - Thomas Constable
2 Samuel 7:8-11 - This is what the Lord of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. I will make a great name for you like that of the greatest on the earth. I will designate a place for my people Israel and plant them, so that they may live there and not be disturbed again. Evildoers will not continue to oppress them as they have done ever since the day I ordered judges to be over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies.
Vs. 30, 32-33 - If his sons abandon my instruction and do not live by my ordinances…then I will call their rebellion to account with the rod, their iniquity with blows. But I will not withdraw my faithful love from him or betray my faithfulness.
Lest anyone think that this promise is implicitly conditioned on continuing faithfulness and obedience on the part of David’s descendants, the psalmist makes clear that this is not so. Disobedience will indeed be punished, but the covenant will not be abrogated. God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to David, to his house, and to his covenant will abide as certainly as the holiness of God who promises and fulfills His word. - W. Robert Godfrey
You Have Spurned And Rejected
Vs. 38-39 - But you have spurned and rejected him; you have become enraged with your anointed. You have repudiated the covenant with your servant; you have completely dishonored his crown.
Vs. 42-43 - You have lifted high the right hand of his foes; you have made all his enemies rejoice. You have also turned back his sharp sword and have not let him stand in battle.
Up to this point, the psalm has been one of praise and fond recollection, but in verse 38, Ethan makes an abrupt pivot. His lyrics had celebrated God’s faithful love to Israel and eternal promises to David, but they had also built a case for why it seemed, during Israel’s current state of defeat, that God had abandoned his covenant. He knew well the extent of God’s faithful love, but at this time, he felt only His anger. It’s as though he said, “God, I know Who You’ve said You are and what You’ve said You’ll do, but I’m not seeing that right now! Where is the deliverance You promised to David?!”
Psalm 89 is distinctive, perhaps even unique, in that it divides into two sharply different parts. Verses 1–37 are a gloriously positive reflection on the character of God and His covenant with David. Verses 38–51 are a lament that God not only has rejected the house of David but seems to have broken His promises. - W. Robert Godfrey
A tone of accusation in a series of charges toward the Lord suggests the psalmist saw his current circumstances as a breach of God's covenant agreement. The inquiry underscores the psalmist's frustration and his inability to understand the Lord's actions. - Kevin R. Warstler and Sheri L. Klouda
How Long, Lord?
Vs. 46-47 - How long, Lord? Will you hide forever? Will your anger keep burning like fire? Remember how short my life is. Have you created everyone for nothing?
In his exasperation and confusion, the psalmist asks a question frequently posed to God in the psalms - “How long will your judgment and anger continue?” The despairing interrogative can be found in at least four other psalms in Book 3 (74, 79, 80, 82).
We can endure a lot of things if we know there is an endpoint. You can run a race if you know that each step puts you closer to the finish line. But the psalmist doesn’t know. No one knows when YHWH’s anger will subside and his fiery jealousy will be quenched. - Matt Stafford
Taken as a whole, the psalm presses the question, How is it that the faithful God seems in history to have broken faith with His people? Who is God, and what is He doing in history? The psalmist does not know the answers to these questions in his day—just as we do not always have the answers to our questions about the purposes of God. - W. Robert Godfrey
Vs. 50 - Remember, Lord
Vs. 52 - Blessed be the Lord forever
Even in his fear and frustration, there is faith in the psalmist’s final lyrics. After asking God to remember His people, he offers eternal praise to YHWH.
