Psalms 89
DOYLY— Mahalath] See the note to the title of Psalm liii.
— Leannoth.] This word means “interchangeably.” Dr. Wells. Or, according to others, “to create dejections,” to raise a pensive gloom or melancholy in the mind. Mudge.
— the Ezrahite.] That is, a descendant of Zerah the son of Judah. Dr. Wells.
Ver. 5. Free among the dead.] That is, set at liberty, or dismissed from the world, and separated from all communication with its affairs, as dead bodies are. Bp. Horne.
This alludes to the separation of lepers, who were as much removed from all society as if they were really dead. Fenton.
— whom thou rememberest &c.] That is, “whom Thou rememberest no more as living objects of Providence upon earth;” in this sense, they are “cut off from God’s hand,” which held and supported them in life. Bp. Horne.
Ver. 2. — Mercy shall be built up &c.] That is, God’s mercy, and his regard to the truth of his promises, are as fixed and unchangeable as the very heavens themselves. Travell, Bp. Patrick.
Psalms 89:3
- I have made a covenant &c.] This covenant God made with David by the Prophet Nathan, 2 Sam. vii. 12, &c. The covenant relates to David’s “seed,” and to the “establishment of his throne,” in that seed; literally, in Solomon, for a time; spiritually, in Christ, for ever. Bp. Horne.
Psalms 89:6
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Thou hast laid me &c.] Thou hast thrust me down into a deep and dark dungeon, which I can compare to nothing but a grave. Bp. Patrick.
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— the sons of the mighty] The mighty angels. Bp. Wilson.
Psalms 89:8
- — or to thy faithfulness &c.] Or whose faithfulness is equal to thine? Green.
Psalms 89:10
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— shall the dead &c.] Shall the dead arise out of their graves, and live here among men and celebrate thy praises? Bp. Hall.
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— in the land of forgetfulness? In the grave, where all things are forgotten? Bp. Wilson.
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Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces.] Thou hast overthrown the proud Egyptian in the Red sea. Bp. Hall.
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— Tabor and Hermon. These mountains, the first lying on the west, and the second on the east of Judea, are here put for the eastern and western parts of the world. Green.
Psalms 89:13
- — prevent thee.] Come before Thee. Bp. Wilson, Old Translation.
Psalms 89:15
- Blessed is the people &c.] Blessed are the people, whose ears are inured to the cheerful sound of the sacred trumpets of God in their solemn feasts and sacrifices. Bp. Hall.
Psalms 89:16
- — thy terrors have cut me off.] Have overwhelmed me. Bp. Patrick.
As the comforts which true religion affords are the only sure support against the evils and calamities of the world, to which every condition of life is more or less exposed; so the terrours of religion, being very grievous in themselves, exclusive of these comforts, add weight to all our miseries, and are a burden too heavy for a man to sustain. But surely there is something monstrous in such terrours! They come not from religion by natural birth: for it is much easier to believe that all we see is chance and fortune, and religion itself a vain thing, than to believe that an all-wise and all-powerful Being has formed us to be miserable. And yet, in fact, this is often the case; we see many rendered unhappy by such fears and jealousies: and of all the fears incident to man these are the most fearful, and give us the quickest sense of misery; they are what the Psalmist has here described them to be, “distraction.” Bp. Sherlock.
Psalm LXXXIX. Ethan, speaking in the person of his prince, describes his reliance on the faithfulness of God to fulfil his covenant with David, and on the power of God to perform wonders for the deliverance of his people. He then represents, that, notwithstanding his
The psalmist praiseth God for his favour to the kingdom of David. trary events, 46 he expostulateth, prayeth, and blesseth God.
I WILL sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness † to all generations.
Psalms 89:19
- Then thou spakest &c.] Thou spakest by way of vision of thy holy Prophet Samuel, and saidst, I have ordained to give help and victory unto my people, by my strong and mighty champion, David. Bp. Hall.
Psalms 89:22
- — shall not exact upon him;] Shall not subdue him. Rosenmüller. c Numb. 10. 6. d 1 Sam. 16. 12.
God’s favour to the kingdom of David. PSALMS. The psalmist prayeth, and blesseth God.
Psalms 89:25
- I will set his hand &c.] I will extend his conquests and dominion from the Mediterranean sea to the rivers Tigris and Euphrates. Dr. Wells.
Psalms 89:27
- Also I will make &c.] I will raise him to the highest dignity among those whom I shall call my sons; and I will exalt him above all other kings in the world, so that he may be a most eminent type of my Son Christ, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Travell. Bp. Patrick.
Psalms 89:36
- His seed shall endure &c.] His family shall never be extinct, but shall hold the royal dignity as long as the sun shineth. Bp. Patrick.
Psalms 89:39
- Thou hast made void &c.] Thou seemest not to regard the covenant made with thy faithful servant David, but hast permitted the authority of his successor to be profaned, and his crown trodden under foot. Bp. Patrick, Travell.
Psalms 89:47
- Remember how short &c.] O let the natural shortness of my life plead with Thice for mercy, and do not let it appear as if Thou hadst made man only to be miserable and to die. Travell.
Psalms 89:50
- Remember, Lord, the reproach &c.] The Jews, when this Psalm was penned, were in a low estate: the very heathen reproached them for vainly expecting their mighty Deliverer, the Messiah, whom they said God had promised to David, and out of his loins. Bp. Wilson.
Psalms 89:51
- —reproached the footsteps &c.] That is, have pursued the steps of thine anointed with revilings. Mudge, Merrick. Or, according to the Chaldee, mocked at the tardy advent of thy Messiah. Bp. Horne.
The posterity of David were to enjoy God’s favour, or be deprived of it, as they proved obedient or disobedient to his law. When they became rebellious, idolatrous, and profligate, the rod was lifted up, and due chastisement inflicted, sometimes by the immediate hand of Heaven, sometimes by the instrumentality of their heathen adversaries; famine and pestilence, war and captivity, were at different times employed to reclaim backsliding Israel. But still the “covenant” of God in Christ stood sure; the Jewish nation was preserved, through all changes and revolutions, “till the Seed came to whom the promise was made;” nor was Jerusalem de-