Psalms 89:37
Psalms 89:37 in Multiple Translations
like the moon, established forever, a faithful witness in the sky.” Selah
It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
It shall be established for ever as the moon, And as the faithful witness in the sky. [Selah
It will be fixed for ever like the moon; and the witness in heaven is true. (Selah.)
It will continue forever like the moon, an enduring witness in the heavens.” Selah.
He shalbe established for euermore as the moone, and as a faythfull witnes in the heauen. Selah.
As the moon it is established — to the age, And the witness in the sky is stedfast. Selah.
It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah.
It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
That line will ◄be as permanent/last as long► as the moon that is always watching everything from the sky. Think about that!)
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 89:37
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 89:37 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
זַ֭רְע/וֹ
לְ/עוֹלָ֣ם
יִהְיֶ֑ה
וְ/כִסְא֖/וֹ
כַ/שֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ
נֶגְדִּֽ/י
זַ֭רְע/וֹ
zeraʻ
H2233
seed
N-ms | Suff
לְ/עוֹלָ֣ם
ʻôwlâm
H5769
forever
Prep | N-ms
יִהְיֶ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/כִסְא֖/וֹ
kiççêʼ
H3678
throne
Conj | N-ms | Suff
כַ/שֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ
shemesh
H8121
sun
Prep | N-cs
נֶגְדִּֽ/י
neged
H5048
before
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 89:37
זַ֭רְע/וֹ
zeraʻ
H2233
"seed"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.
Definition: : seed/sowing 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.) 1f) sowing time (by meton)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.
לְ/עוֹלָ֣ם
ʻôwlâm
H5769
"forever"
Prep | N-ms
This word means forever or always, describing something that lasts an eternity. It is used in the Bible to describe God's eternal nature and his lasting promises.
Definition: : old/ancient 1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world 1a) ancient time, long time (of past) 1b) (of future) 1b1) for ever, always 1b2) continuous existence, perpetual 1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
Usage: Occurs in 413 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare H5331 (נֶצַח), H5703 (עַד). See also: Genesis 3:22; 1 Kings 8:13; Psalms 5:12.
יִהְיֶ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
וְ/כִסְא֖/וֹ
kiççêʼ
H3678
"throne"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a throne, symbolizing a seat of power or authority, often canopied or covered. It is used to describe the throne of God or a king, representing royal dignity and power.
Definition: 1) seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool 1a) seat (of honour), throne 1b) royal dignity, authority, power (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 124 OT verses. KJV: seat, stool, throne. See also: Genesis 41:40; 2 Chronicles 23:20; Psalms 9:5.
כַ/שֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ
shemesh
H8121
"sun"
Prep | N-cs
The sun, or shemesh, represents not just the celestial body, but also east or west direction, and even objects that shine like battlements. It is often used to describe the rising or setting of the sun.
Definition: 1) sun 1a) sun 1b) sunrise, sun-rising, east, sun-setting, west (of direction) 1c) sun (as object of illicit worship) 1d) openly, publicly (in other phrases) 1e) pinnacles, battlements, shields (as glittering or shining)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] east side(-ward), sun (rising), [phrase] west(-ward), window. See also H1053 (בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ). See also: Genesis 15:12; Psalms 104:19; Psalms 19:5.
נֶגְדִּֽ/י
neged
H5048
"before"
Prep | Suff
Before or in front of something, as in Genesis 18:22 where Abraham stands before the Lord. It describes a position of being face to face or in someone's presence.
Definition: subst 1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of adv 2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of 3) in front of oneself, straightforward 4) before your face, in your view or purpose with prep 5) what is in front of, corresponding to 6) in front of, before 7) in the sight or presence of 8) parallel to 9) over, for 10) in front, opposite 11) at a distance prep 12) from the front of, away from 13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from 14) from before, in front of 15) as far as the front of Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: about, (over) against, [idiom] aloof, [idiom] far (off), [idiom] from, over, presence, [idiom] other side, sight, [idiom] to view. See also: Genesis 2:18; Job 10:17; Psalms 10:5.
Study Notes — Psalms 89:37
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 89:37 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 89:37
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 89:37
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 89:37
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 89:37
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 89:37
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 89:37
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 89:37
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 89:37
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 89:37
- Sermons on Psalms 89:37
Context — I Will Sing of His Love Forever
35Once and for all I have sworn by My holiness— I will not lie to David—
36his offspring shall endure forever, and his throne before Me like the sun,
37like the moon, established forever, a faithful witness in the sky.” Selah
38Now, however, You have spurned and rejected him; You are enraged by Your anointed one. 39You have renounced the covenant with Your servant and sullied his crown in the dust.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 31:35–36 | Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in order the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name: “Only if this fixed order departed from My presence, declares the LORD, would Israel’s descendants ever cease to be a nation before Me.” |
| 2 | Genesis 1:14–18 | And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to distinguish between the day and the night, and let them be signs to mark the seasons and days and years. And let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.” And it was so. God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. And He made the stars as well. God set these lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth, to preside over the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. |
| 3 | Psalms 104:19 | He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set. |
| 4 | Genesis 9:13–16 | I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and every living creature of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. And whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of every kind that is on the earth.” |
| 5 | Isaiah 54:9–10 | “For to Me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you. Though the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, My loving devotion will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. |
| 6 | Psalms 72:7 | May the righteous flourish in his days and prosperity abound, until the moon is no more. |
Psalms 89:37 Summary
[Psalms 89:37 tells us that God's promise to David, and through him to all believers, is as stable and enduring as the moon in the sky. This means we can trust God's word and know that His faithfulness is unwavering, just like the consistent phases of the moon. As Jeremiah 31:35-36 reminds us, God's covenant is as fixed as the order of the heavens. This gives us confidence in His love and care for us, and encourages us to be faithful witnesses for Him, just as the moon is a faithful indicator of time and seasons.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the comparison to the moon in Psalms 89:37 mean?
The comparison to the moon in Psalms 89:37 signifies stability and endurance, much like the consistent cycles of the moon, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, as seen in Jeremiah 31:35-36 where God's covenant with Israel is compared to the fixed order of the sun, moon, and stars.
How can we understand the phrase 'a faithful witness in the sky' in this verse?
The phrase 'a faithful witness in the sky' refers to the moon's role as a constant, reliable indicator of time and seasons, mirroring God's unwavering commitment to His word and covenant, similar to the concept in Psalms 119:89 where the word of God is described as established in heaven.
What is the significance of the word 'Selah' at the end of Psalms 89:37?
The word 'Selah' is a musical or liturgical term that instructs the reader or singer to pause, reflecting on the significance of what has just been said, similar to its use in Psalms 3:2 where it prompts contemplation on God's deliverance.
How does this verse relate to God's covenant with David mentioned in the preceding verses?
This verse is part of God's promise to David that his throne will endure forever, with the comparison to the moon underscoring the perpetual nature of this covenant, as initially stated in 2 Samuel 7:16 where God promises David that his throne will be established forever.
Reflection Questions
- What does the image of the moon as a 'faithful witness' evoke in my understanding of God's faithfulness to His promises?
- How can I apply the concept of endurance and stability, symbolized by the moon, to my own walk with God?
- In what ways can I be a 'faithful witness' for God, reflecting His character and promises to those around me?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of God's covenants and how they are established forever, like the cycles of the moon?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 89:37
It shall be established for ever as the moon,.... Either Christ's seed, or throne, which comes to much the same sense; for by both are meant his church and people, his kingdom and interest in the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 89:37
Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 89:37
Whereby he understands, either, first, The moon, last mentioned, to which this clause may be added rather than to the sun, to imply that as the moon, though subject to eclipses and frequent and manifold changes, yet doth constantly and perpetually remain in heaven, as a witness of my covenant of the night, as it is called, ; so shall the house and kingdom of David continue for ever, not withstanding all the changes and calamities which it may undergo. Or, secondly, The rainbow, which though in itself it be unstable and transient, and doth but seldom appear, which learned men object against this opinion, yet in Scripture is mentioned as God’ s faithful and perpetual witness, being called a token of God’ s everlasting covenant between God and every living creature for perpetual generations, ,16. And although it do not always appear to us, neither do the sun or moon do so, yet its appearances are doubtless very frequent in one or other part of the world, and will be repeated from time to time to the end of the world. Add to this, that the word here rendered heaven, may as well be rendered the cloud or clouds, as it is used 36:28 77:17 78:23 . And so the place being thus translated, and as the faithful witness in the cloud or clouds, doth plainly point us to the rainbow.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 89:37
Psalms 89:37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and [as] a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.Ver. 37. It shall be established for ever as the moon] If his sons be good they shall shine as the sun in his strength, saith Kimchi; as, if they be not, yet they shall be as the moon that shineth, though for a time obscured or eclipsed. A fit resemblance, saith Ainsworth, of the throne or Church of Christ, which hath not always one face or appearance in the world, though it be perpetual. The Papists would have this moon always in the full; and if she show but little light to us they will not yield she is the moon. And yet, except in the eclipse, astronomers demonstrate that the moon hath at all times as much light as she hath in the full; but oftentimes a great part of the bright side is turned to heaven, and a lesser part to the earth: and so the Church is ever conspicuous to God’ s eye, though it appear not always so to us. And as a faithful witness in heaven] As oft, then, as we see the sun and moon in heaven let us think of the constance of God’ s covenant, and the perpetuity of Christ’ s kingdom. By this "faithful witness" some understand the rainbow, Genesis 9:13-17.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 89:37
(37) And as a faithful witness in heaven.—Rather, and there is a faithful witness in heaven, which the parallelism shows to be the moon, just mentioned. The moon (see Psalms 81:3) was to the Jews—as to the ancients generally—the “arbiter of festivals,” and the festivals were signs of the covenant, consequently that luminary might well be called “a witness in heaven.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 89:37
Verse 37. As the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven.] That is, as long as the sun and moon shall endure, as long as time shall last, his kingdom shall last among men. The moon appears to be termed a faithful witness here, because by her particularly time is measured. Her decrease and increase are especially observed by every nation, and by these time is generally estimated, especially among the eastern nations. So many moons is a man old; so many moons since such an event happened; and even their years are reckoned by lunations. This is the case with the Mohammedans to the present day. Or the rainbow may be intended; that sign which God has established in the cloud; that faithful witness of his that the earth shall no more be destroyed by water. As long therefore as the sun, the moon, and the rainbow appear in the heavens, so long shall the spiritual David reign, and his seed prosper and increase. Selah.] It is confirmed; it shall not fail.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 89:37
37. Construction and meaning are doubtful. (1) The original passage in 2 Samuel 7:16 is in favour of making his throne the subject to shall be established, and against the marginal alternatives of R.V., As the moon which is established for ever, and as the faithful witness in the sky: or, and is a faithful witness in the sky. (2) The A.V., with which substantially agrees the R.V., And (as) the faithful witness in the sky, raises the question what is meant by ‘the faithful witness in the sky.’ Is it the sun, or the moon, or the rainbow? Or is it the fixed laws of nature which are appealed to in Jeremiah 31:35-36; Jeremiah 33:20 f., 25f., as a symbol of the permanence of God’s covenant with Israel and with David? This last explanation is the best, but it seems somewhat far-fetched; and the omission of the particle of comparison as points (3) to another rendering: And the witness in the sky is faithful. The witness is God Himself, Who thus confirms His promise with a final attestation. Cp. Jeremiah 42:5, “Jehovah be a true and faithful witness against us”: Job 16:19, “my witness is in heaven.”
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 89:37
It shall be established forever as the moon - As long as the moon shall endure. The heavenly bodies are the most permanent objects that we know of; and they, therefore, became the emblems of stability and perpetuity.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 89:37
37. In heaven—In the clouds, as the word often means. Job 36:28; Psalms 78:23. In this sense the allusion is to Genesis 9:13 : “I do set my bow in the clouds.” But if ùׁ ?ä÷, shahak, be understood of the starry heavens, (comp.
Sermons on Psalms 89:37
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Exodus) Exodus 3:1-2 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the chaplain discusses the significance of the burning bush in the book of Exodus. He emphasizes that the burning bush is a symbol of God's presence and holiness. T |
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The Budding of the Fig Tree by Charles E. Fuller | In this sermon, the preacher begins by inviting the audience to raise their hands and sing a joyful song. He then asks if their names are written in the Lamb's book of life, emphas |
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The Significance of Israel 1980 by Lance Lambert | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a vision from the book of Daniel in which a son of man is given dominion and a kingdom that will never be destroyed. The preacher then connec |
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Israel: What's Going On? What We Can We Do? by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the complexities surrounding Israel's current situation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical and biblical context. He discusses the o |
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Israel's Future as a Nation by John F. Walvoord | John F. Walvoord delves into the prophecy relating to Israel's future as a nation, exploring the various viewpoints on whether Israel exists today and has a future. He discusses th |
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The Question Stated by Arno Clemens Gaebelein | Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches on the significance of Romans 11, emphasizing the importance of understanding God's purposes concerning the Jewish race and the impact of Israel's p |
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The Nation of Hope by Arno Clemens Gaebelein | Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches about the unchanging human history and the dying state of 'Christian Civilization,' lacking the essence of Christ. He discusses the hopelessness in |