Psalms 89:1

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever,.... Both temporal and spiritual, especially the latter, in which there is a large display of the rich and abundant mercy of God, from whence they are

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. Psalms 89:1-52.

Psalms 89 THE This Psalm manifestly treats of the declining and calamitous time and state of the house and kingdom of David, either, first, in Rehoboam’ s reign, as a late judicious interpreter conceives; to which those expressions, , do not agree; or rather, secondly, in or about the time of tim Babylonish captivity. Either, first, he who is mentioned . And then the Psalm is prophetical of things to come; which yet, after the manner of the prophets, he represents as present. And this prophetical Psalm might be left upon record as a cordial for David’ s family in their future distresses, which Ethan by the Spirit of prophecy foresaw. Or, secondly, Some other person of the same name, and inspired by the same Spirit, Who had lived in the times of which the psalmist here speaketh. The psalmist praiseth God for making and keeping covenant with David and his seed, ; for his great power and care over his church, ; for his favours to the kingdom of David, . The destruction of his enemies, . The faithfulness of God to them in covenant with him, . Complaining of contrary events, , he expostulateth with, prayeth unto, and blesseth the Lord, . Intending to discourse of the doleful estate of David’ s family and of his kingdom, he prefaceth this, partly lest the following complaints of present miseries should argue ingratitude for former mercies. Thy faithfulness; whatsoever hath befallen or shall befall David’ s house, or any other, it proceeded not from thy unfaithfulness, but from some other causes.

Psalms 89:1 « Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. » I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite] Who having out lived Solomon, and seen both the defection of the ten tribes from the house of David, and the woeful work made by Shishak, king of Egypt, in the kingdom of Judah, 2 Chronicles 12:1-9 composed this psalm (as it may seem), and left it for an eruditive or instruction to all succeeding ages what to do in such dismal changes and concussions. That Jewish doctor mentioned by Aben Ezra was more ignorent than wise, who would neither read nor hear this psalm, Quia videtur dura de Deo proferre, because it seemeth to speak harshly of God, Psalms 89:39. Ver. 1. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord] God’ s mercies moved him to promise, his faithfulness bindeth him to perform; Ethan promiseth to celebrate both, were the times never so bad, their case never so calamitous. I will make known thy faithfulness] Which yet I am sometimes moved to make question of. Thus the psalmist insinuateth before he complaineth, Ut faciendum docent rhetores in causis invidiosis; wherein he showeth himself a right rhetorician.

(1) I will sing.—This lyric purpose soon loses itself in a dirge. For ever.—The Hebrew (‘ôlam) has properly neither the abstract idea of negation of time, nor the concrete (Christian) idea of eternity, but implies indefiniteness, and looks either backwards or forwards. With my mouth—i.e., aloud, or loudly.

PSALM LXXXIX The psalmist shows God's great mercy to the house of David, and the promises which he had given to it of support and perpetuity, 1-37; complains that, notwithstanding these promises, the kingdom of Judah is overthrown, and the royal family nearly ruined, 38-45; and earnestly prays for their restoration, 46-52. NOTES ON PSALM LXXXIX It is most probable that this Psalm was composed during the captivity. Of Ethan and Heman we have already seen something in the introduction to the preceding Psalm; Psalms 88:1 see also the parallel places in the margin. The title should probably be translated, - To give instruction to Ethan the Ezrahite. The Chaldee has, "A good instruction, delivered by Abraham, who came from the east country." The Septuagint and AEthiopic have Nathan the Israelite; the Arabic has Nathan the Israelite. The Psalm divides itself into two grand parts; the first extends, Psalms 89:1-37, in which the psalmist shows God's mercy to the house of David, and the promises which he has given to it of support and perpetuity. The second part begins with verse 38, and ends with the Psalm; Psalms 89:38-52 and in it the author complains that notwithstanding these promises, the kingdom of Judah is overthrown and the royal family ruined; and he entreats the Lord to remember his covenant made with that family, and restore them from their captivity. Verse 1. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord] I will celebrate the mercy of God to the house of Jacob; the mercy that has been shown to our fathers from time immemorial. To all generations] What I say concerning thy mercy and goodness, being inspired by thy Spirit, is not only true, but shall be preserved by the Divine providence for ever.

1–4. The Psalmist states his theme: the lovingkindness and faithfulness of Jehovah, which he is persuaded can never fail; and the promise of eternal dominion to the house of David.

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever - Particularly how the “mercy” was manifested in the promise made to David; the solemn covenant made with him in respect to the perpetuity of his throne.

1. Mercies… faithfulness—The two pillars of the psalmist’s hope. On these the covenant with David (Psalms 89:3) rested, and in them it originated. These shall be the theme of his song for ever.