READING: Psalm 89 – God’s Covenant with David

VERSE FOR THE DAY: You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: ‘I will establish your descendants forever and build your throne for all generations.’” (Psalm 89:3-4)

This Psalm’s header is, “A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.” I understand this means it was written by this wise man of the east, but whose wisdom was exceeded by Solomon (1 Kings 4:31).

I see three movements in this Psalm: The first movement speaks of the covenant God made with David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. This section talks about the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises. The Psalmist says, “Your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens” and “Your faithfulness surrounds You.” This section speaks also of God’s creation and how He maintains it. “The heavens are Yours; the earth also is Yours; the world and all that is in it – You have founded them. The north and the south – You created them.” And “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You.” Then God spoke, “I have found my servant David; with My holy oil I have anointed him; My hand shall always remain with him,” and He continues speaking of how He will help David. “My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him. I will make him the highest of the kings of the earth. I will establish his line forever.” This is in verses 1-29.

The second movement is in verses 30-37. The LORD is still speaking. “If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my ordinances, I will punish their transgression with the rod.” In making His covenant with David, He had said, “When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod sch as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings.” (2 Samuel 7:14) In Isaiah 10:5-6, Assyria is the rod in the hands of God’s fury against a godless nation, in this instance against Judah in the days of Hezekiah – but Assyria will also be punished for their arrogant boasting and pride (Isaiah 10:12). But when David’s offspring are punished, God still says, “His line shall continue forever, and his throne endure before Me like the sun.”

However, from verses 38-51, the Psalmist complains that God has abandoned His anointed and renounced his covenant. He says, “You’ve broken through all his walls; all who pass by plunder him; You’ve not supported him in battle. You’ve removed his scepter and hurled his throne to the ground” and asks if God will hide forever? He asks, “Lord, where is Your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness You swore to David?”

When Israel’s and Judah’s kings led the nation into idolatry, both kings and people were punished.

God’s faithfulness was announced by an angel to a virgin who would conceive and bear a son, and “God will give to Him the throne of His father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33)

God’s faithfulness continues in King Jesus.

His kingdom endures forever.

We are forever blessed to be a blessing to others.

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PRAY FOR YOURSELF:

Father, I rejoice in the blessings You give me through Your Son, Jesus. And I thank You for all He has done for me. Give me His grace and forgiveness is my prayer, in Jesus’ holy Name, AMEN!;

MY PRAYER FOR YOU (and for me)his

Father, I pray for all who read these words that we may each see Your faithfulness in our own lives, so we will be positioned to be a blessing to others as we reflect His light into this world of darkness, in His holy name I pray, AMEN!