Psalms 89:33 — Word Study
WLCוְ֭חַסְדִּי לֹֽא־ אָפִ֣יר מֵֽעִמּ֑וֹ וְלֹֽא־ אֲ֝שַׁקֵּ֗ר בֶּאֱמוּנָתִֽי׃
BSAto reckonpâqad tribeshêbeṭ transgressionpeshaʻ plaguenegaʻ iniquityʻâvôn
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְ֭חַסְדִּי | and covenant loyalty my | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לֹֽא־ | not | Particle |
| אָפִ֣יר | I will break off | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect first person common singular |
| מֵֽעִמּ֑וֹ | from with him | Preposition, preposition, suffix |
| וְלֹֽא־ | and not | Conjunction, particle |
| אֲ֝שַׁקֵּ֗ר | I will deal falsely | Verb, Piel, imperfect first person common singular |
| בֶּאֱמוּנָתִֽי׃ | with faithfulness my | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | But I will not withdraw My loving devotion from him, nor ever betray My faithfulness. |
| KJV | Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. |
| ASV | But my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, Nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. |
| YLT | And My kindness I break not from him, Nor do I deal falsely in My faithfulness. |
| WEB | But I will not completely take my loving kindness from him, nor allow my faithfulness to fail. |
| BBE | But I will not take away my mercy from him, and will not be false to my faith. |
All translations agree on the essential meanings of God's loving devotion and faithfulness.
The verse consists of a main clause and a negation phrase, emphasizing God's unwavering commitment.






7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbפֶּשַׁע
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 89:33
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Promises to Davidgenerated
Psalms 89:33 is a promise from God that despite human failings, His loving devotion and faithfulness will remain steadfast. This assurance is part of a broader context where God speaks about His relationship with David and the covenant made with him. The surrounding verses emphasize God's commitment to discipline while also affirming His unwavering love and loyalty, as seen in Psalm 89:32 and Psalm 89:34.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 7:13–15 | He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 11:13–32 | Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.” |
| 3 | Isaiah 54:8–10 | In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 33:20–26 | “This is what the LORD says: If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that day and night cease to occupy their appointed time, |
| 5 | Lamentations 3:31–32 | For the Lord will not cast us off forever. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חַסְדִּי, Ve.chas.digenerated
The word חֶסֶד (che.sed) signifies kindness, mercy, or loving devotion. It is often used to describe God's faithful and loving actions toward humanity. In this verse, it emphasizes the unbreakable bond of love and loyalty that God maintains.
This noun is in the construct state, indicating a possessive relationship, as in 'my loving devotion.' The parsing shows it as a common masculine singular noun, reflecting the nature of God's character as one who is merciful and kind.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered consistently across translations, with all agreeing on the core meanings of God's loving devotion and faithfulness.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is אָפִ֣יר (‘a.Fir), meaning 'I will break off,' which governs the structure of the verse. It is followed by two clauses that express negation: 'not withdraw' and 'not betray.' This structure emphasizes God's commitment by framing it in terms of what He will not do.
The sentence is built around the negation of actions that would break God's covenant, highlighting the certainty of His promises through the repeated use of 'not.'
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חַסְדִּי as ἐν (en), which can indicate presence or accompaniment. This choice reflects the idea of God's lovingkindness being ever-present with His people.
The Greek rendering captures the essence of the Hebrew, though it may lack some of the depth of the original terms related to mercy and covenant loyalty.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 89:33 assures that God will not take away His loving devotion or be unfaithful. This promise highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with David, emphasizing His mercy and reliability.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
God's loving devotion refers to His kindness and mercy, which He promises to maintain regardless of circumstances.
God emphasizes that His faithfulness is unchanging and reliable, assuring His people that He will always keep His promises.
This verse reinforces the covenant relationship God has with David, highlighting that despite failures, God's commitment remains steadfast.
The repetition of 'not' emphasizes God's determination to uphold His lovingkindness and faithfulness, ensuring that He will never abandon His promises.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I recognize God's loving devotion in my life?
- In what ways can I reflect God's faithfulness in my relationships?
- What does it mean to trust in God's promises during difficult times?
- How can I ensure that I remain faithful in my commitments, as God does?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo quotes this verse in his exposition, arguing for the consistency of God's mercy.
"Nevertheless, My mercy will I not utterly take from Him" [Psalms 89:33].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 89 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 89:33 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleNevertheless, my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him,.... Or "make it void" (k), not from Christ, who always was, and ever will be, the dear Son of his love, even while he was obeying,
Read John Gill on Psalms 89 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen 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.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 89 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleMy loving-kindness; my mercy promised to David.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 89 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 89:33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.Ver. 33. Nevertheless my lovingkindness, &c.] For that were to break covenant: I will correct him in mercy, and in measure. Sinite virgam corrigentem, ne sentiatis malleum conterentem, saith Bernard. Nor suffer my faithfulness to fail] Non mentiar in veritate mea, God is very careful to keep touch with his.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 89 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(30-33) An elaboration of 2 Samuel 7:14-15, and evidently made with a purpose. The poet acknowledges the sin of Israel in past times, but also regards the sufferings of the exile as having been the punishment foretold by them. Hence the sin has been expiated, and the perplexity arises why Israel is still afflicted.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 89 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges33. But my lovingkindness will I not break off from him, Neither be false to my faithfulness. The word rendered break off is an unusual one to apply to lovingkindness, and its form is anomalous. The change of one letter however gives the word used in 1 Chronicles 17:13, I will not take away, and this emendation should probably be adopted. Be false to is the word found in 1 Samuel 15:29, “The Strength of Israel will not lie.”
Read Cambridge on Psalms 89 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleNevertheless my loving-kindness - My mercy; my favor. I will not utterly cast him off. He shall not be in the condition of those who are my enemies, or who are entirely forsaken.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 89 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
But I will not withdraw My loving devotion from him, nor ever betray My faithfulness.
But I will not completely take my loving kindness from him, nor allow my faithfulness to fail.
But I will not withdraw My loving devotion from him, nor ever betray My faithfulness.
But I will not remove my loyal love from him, nor be unfaithful to my promise.
Tyndale line
Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
But my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, Nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
But my mercy will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
Yet my louing kindnesse will I not take from him, neither will I falsifie my trueth.
Strictly literal
Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor belie my faithfulness;
And My kindness I break not from him, Nor do I deal falsely in My faithfulness.
And I do not break My kindness from him, || Nor do I deal falsely in My faithfulness.
(89:34) Nevertheless my kindness will I not make utterly void from him, and I will not act falsely against my faithfulness.
But I will not remove my steadfast love from him or be unfaithful to my promise.
Simplified
However, I will not take away my love from him; I will not break my promise to him.
But I will not take away my mercy from him, and will not be false to my faith.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads: וְ֭חַסְדִּי לֹֽא־ אָפִ֣יר מֵֽעִמּ֑וֹ וְלֹֽא־ אֲ֝שַׁקֵּ֗ר בֶּאֱמוּנָתִֽי׃. The Septuagint matches 4 of the 7 words, indicating a close relationship between the two texts, though the word order and structure differ.
וְ֭חַסְדִּי לֹֽא־ אָפִ֣יר מֵֽעִמּ֑וֹ וְלֹֽא־ אֲ֝שַׁקֵּ֗ר בֶּאֱמוּנָתִֽי׃
4 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 89:33
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) primarily means kindness or goodness, often referring to the kindness of people towards one another, especially towards the needy. It can also denote God's lovingkindness and mercy. Additionally, it has a secondary meaning of shame or reproach. The entries reflect a range of uses, from human interactions to divine attributes.
חֶ֫סֶד 247 n.m. goodness, kindness
of man:
kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
(rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
lovely appearance
of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
base
חֶ֫סֶד n.m. shame, reproach
base
H2617a חֶ֫סֶד goodness, kindness . of man: . kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
. (rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
. lovely appearance
. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
H2617b חֶ֫סֶד shame, reproach
2617 checed kheh'-sed
from 2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety:
rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:--favour,
good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful
(kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.
see HEBREW for 02616
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — kindness.
goodness, kindness, faithfulness
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — shame.
a reproach, shame
HC/Ncmsc/Sp1bs — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
HTn — ParticleHTn
פָּרַר (parar) primarily means to break or frustrate, with its Hiphil form indicating an active sense of breaking or crushing. The entries suggest a range of meanings related to destruction or nullification, including the idea of being frustrated or shattered. There is a mention of an alternative spelling, פּוּר (pur), which also conveys the idea of breaking.
[פָּרַר] vb. Hiph. break, frustrate
Hoph.
be frustrated
be broken
Pilp. he hath shattered me.
base
H6331 פָּרַר Hiph. break, frustrate
6331 puwr poor
a primitive root; to crush:--break, bring to nought, X
utterly take.
פּוּר (pur) — to break.
(Hiphil) to break, crush
Another spelling of pa.rar (פָּרַר "to break" H6565A)
HVhi1cs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common singularHVhi1cs
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
HR/Rd/Sp3ms — Preposition · preposition · suffixHR/Rd/Sp3ms
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
HC/Tn — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
שָׁקַר (shaqar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to deal falsely or to cheat. It is primarily used to describe actions of dishonesty, particularly in speech. The entries indicate that it can appear in different forms, such as the Qal and Piel stems, both emphasizing the act of falsehood. A notable verse referencing this word is one that states, 'thou wilt not do falsely to me'.
[שָׁקַר] vb. denom. do or deal falsely;—
Qal thou wilt not do falsely to me
Pi. deal falsely
base
H8266 שָׁקַר vb. denom. do or deal falsely
8266 shaqar shaw-kar'
a primitive root; to cheat, i.e. be untrue (usually in
words):--fail, deal falsely, lie.
שָׁקַר (sha.qar) — to deal.
1) to do or deal falsely, be false, trick, cheat
1a) (Piel) to deal falsely
1b) (Qal) to deal falsely
HVpi1cs — Verb · Piel · imperfect first person common singularHVpi1cs
The Hebrew word אֱמוּנָה (*emuwnah*) is built from the root of H529, indicating concepts of firmness and steadfastness. It encompasses meanings such as fidelity, trust, and stability. The entries consistently highlight its moral implications, particularly in relation to faithfulness.
אֱמוּנָה n.f. firmness, steadfastness, fidelity
lit. firmness, steadiness
steadfastness
faithfulness, trust
base
H530 אֱמוּנָה firmness, steadfastness, fidelity . lit. firmness, steadiness
. steadfastness
. faithfulness, trust
530 'emuwnah em-oo-naw'); or (shortened) >emunah {em-oo-naw'
feminine of 529; literally firmness; figuratively security;
morally fidelity:--faith(-ful, -ly, -ness, (man)), set
office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily.
see HEBREW for 0529
אֱמוּנָה (e.mu.nah) — faithfulness.
firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness
HR/Ncfsc/Sp1bs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncfsc/Sp1bs
