Psalms 89

The Psalmist praiseth God for his bountifulness, and for his faithfulness also in keeping his Covenant made with David (typically representing Christ here.) and all true believers; as likewise for his great power and care in the behalf of his Church: complaining nevertheless over the heavy pressures, which the Church of God doth undergo, and praying for deliverance.

1. An instruction [See Psalm 32.v.1.] of Ethan the Ezrahite: [of this man see 1 Kings 4:31. and 1 Chron.2.6. he lived in Salomons time, and after when the Kingdom was rent under his son Rehaboam, and Sisak the King of Egypt took the strong Cities in Juda, and Jerusalem it self, and spoiled the Temple; 1 Kings 14:25. and 2 Chron.12.2. which calamity the Prophesy of the miseries that were to come in after times.]

2. I will sing the kindnesses of the LORD forever: I will make known thy truth with my mouth, [Here the Psalmist speaketh unto God] from generation to generation. [Hebr. To, or upon generation and generation.]

3. For I have said, Thy kindness shall be built forever: [i.e. I am assured of this, that the grace and kindness of the Lord shall endured forever, like unto a strong building which hath a foundation that cannot be moved, or shaken] in the heavens themselves, hast thou established thy truth, [These words have regard to the unmoveable stedfastness of heaven, and to the unchangeable condition and orders of the celestial bodies, by observing whereof, God will have us together and conclude of the stedfastness of his Promises, and the unchangeableness of his faithfulness, believing the same without doubt and wavering; see below, verse 37.38. and Psalm 119.v.89.] (saying.)

4. I have made a Covenant [Here God is brought in speaking himself] with my elect (or chosen) one: viz. With David, as followeth immediately] I have sworn to my servant David:

5. I will establish thy seed, [viz. Christ and the faithful] into eternity: and build up thy throne, [to wit, the Kingdom of Christ. See Luke 1:32,33,69.] from generation to generation! Sela!

6. Therefore [These now are again the words of the Prophet, and of the people of God, saying, Therefore do the heavens praise thee, because thou dost so faithfully and firmly keep what thou hast promised: and therefore we hold thee powerful enough, fully to accomplish thy promises made unto thy servant David] do the heavens, [i.e. the heavenly hoste, or creatures, the Angels, and the blessed souls of the departed children of God, Luke 2:13,14. Phil.3.20. Revel.7.9,10,11,12.] praise thy wonders, O LORD; thy faithfulness also is in the assembly of the Saints. [he will say, that it is well known to the faithful, that thou art altogether as willing as powerful to perform thy promises, for which they do praise thy faithfulness in their congregations: (thy faithfulness is etc. Understand praised, made known, celebrated, etc.]

7. For who may be shadowed in heaven [Others in the lofty clouds] against the LORD? (who) is like unto the LORD among the children of the strong ones? [i.e. among the mighty LORDS and princes of this world: or amongst the Angels, whom God hath endued with extraordinary strength and powerfulness: See above, Psal.78.25. and below 103.20. This kind of expression we have likewise, Psalms 29:2.]

8. God is greatly dreaded in the counsel of the Saints: [Others, in the secrecy, or hiddenness of the Saints: understand the Church or Congregation, wherein the secrets and mysteries of the Kingdom of God are revealed; see Matth.13.11. Rom.16.25. and 1 Cor.4.1. Ephes.3.4. or also the holy Angels: as followers] and fearful above all that are round about him. [Heb. His surroundings; whereby there are understood here the holy Angels, which stand round about him, when he sitteth in Judgement; see 1 Kings 22:19.]

9. O LORD, God of Hostes, Who is like thee, most mighty, O LORD? [Heb. Jah: see the Annot. Psalm 68.on verse 5.] and thy faithfulness is round about thee. [his meaning is; Lord thou art not onely almighty, but likewise true and faithful.]

10. Thou bearest sway over the swelling of Sea: [Or over the pride, haughtiness, i.e. over the rising and swelling up of the Sea, when it doth proudly as it were lift up its waves and billows, which is likewise declared in sequel. See Job 26:12. and 38.11.] when the waves thereof lift up themselves, thou stillest them; [or thou duest them.]

11. Thou hast bruised Rahab; [Others, Egypt, or the Egyptian: See the annot. Psalm 87.on verse.4. it should seem, that the Psalmist hath regard here to the perishing of the Egyptians in the red sea, Exod.14. and 15.] as a slain (man) [viz. That is wounded and perished in the battle] thou hast scattered thine enemies with the arm of thy strength.

12. The heaven is thine, thine also is the earth: the world, and the fullness of it: [i.e. whatsoever the same is replenished and richly provided with: See Psalm 24.on v.1. and Ps.50.on v.12.] hast thou founded.

13. The North and the South, [Hebr. The right (hand or side) hast thou created: Thabor [a mountain in Galilee; Jos.19.22. Jud.4.6,12.] and Hermon [a mountain otherwise called Syrion: Psalms 29:6. under the names of these two mountains the Psalmist comprehendeth the West and the East, and consequently the whole land of Canaan] shout in thy Name: [i.e. it is from thy blessing, that they are so fruitful and pleasant, smiling as it were on man, and rejoicing in the goodness of God.]

14. Thou hast an arm with might, thine hand is strong, thy right hand is high: [So, that every thing must be subject to it.]

15. Righteousness and judgement (or right) are the steddiness of thy throne: kindness and truth go on before thy countenance.

16. Right happy is the people, which knoweth (or is acquainted with) the sounding: [Others, the shouting Nevertheless, it seemeth that the Psalmist hath regard here to Gods institution of blowing the Trumpets, and solemn rejoicing at the annual feasts, Numb.10.10. and the meaning is, that the people is in a happy condition, which knoweth the time and manner of Gods solemn worship, and take their delight and recreation in the same] O LORD, they shall walk in the light of thy countenance; [i.e. they shall continually enjoy thy favour: See Psal.47.or they shall be steered all their life long through thy grace.]

17. They shall rejoice all the day in thy Name: [Or, because of thy Name, for thy Names sake i.e. therefore because they know thee, and have experience of thy grace and loving kindness] and be exalted through thy righteousness:

18. For thou art the glory of their strength: [i.e. Thou onely art he, by whom thy people is strengthened, and in whom they make their boast, or glory themselves] and through thy good pleasure shall our horn be exalted. [the Word Horn, is diversly taken in Scripture: See Deut.33.on v.17.]

19. For our shield , [i.e. Our protection and defence; See Psalm 47.on v.10.] is of the LORD: [or the LORDS,] and our King is of the Saints (or holy ones) of Israel.

20. Then thou spakest in a vision; [This some do understand of the Revelation which God made to Samuel, when he would have David anointed King, 1 Sam.16.1. but others understand it of that which God revealed to Nathan, 2 Sam.7,4,13. &c. Which seemeth to be the most probable meaning, seeing the words which God spake to Nathan there, are expressly rehearsed, v.21.] of thine holy one, [Or, to, &c.] and said I have appointed help by a Champion: [i.e. I have appointed a Champion, and endued him with courage, for to be an Helper, and defender of my people against their enemies, David being understood here, as appeareth, v.21. Who did help and deliver Gods people, manfully fighting for them: 1 Sam.18.13,14, etc. Wherein he was a Type of our Lord Christ] I have exalted a chosen one out of the people. [to wit, David, whom I have chosen out of all the sons of Isai, nay, out of all Israel.]

21. I have found my servant David: with mine holy oil have I anointed him: [Heb. With the oil of my holiness: i.e. I have outwardly anointed him King, by the hand of Samuel, and agreement of the Elders in Israel, 1 Sam.16,13. And 2 Sam.5.3. inwardly by imparting unto him the gifts and graces of the holy Spirit.]

22. With who a my hand [i.e. help and assistance] shall remain firm: also mine arm shall strengthen him.

23. The enemy shall not urge him: [viz. So as the creditor doth urge and press, with daily soliciting him that is in his debt; of this word the Psalmist maketh use likewise, Psalms 55:16.] and the son of unrighteousness [i.e. the wicked wretch, which is given upaltogether to unrighteousness: So we have Psalms 79:11. the son of Death, and 2 Thes.2.3. the son of perdition, or destruction] shall not oppress him.

24. But I shall break his Adversaries in pieces before his face: and shall plague them that hate him.

25. And my faithfulness and my kindness shall be with him, and his horn shall be exalted [See Deut.33. the annot.on v.17.] in my name, [i.e. through my power and assistance.]

26. And I shall put his hand into the Sea [Oth, unto power and dominion over the Nations or folks, which dwell at the Sea. And by the Rivers, see Psalms 72:8.] And his right hand into the Rivers.

27. He shall call me [Or he shall (thus) call upon me] Thou art my Father; my God and the rock of my salvation.

28. I shall likewise appoint him the first-born son, [i.e. head and ruler of my church and people, which having been but in part, the case of Davids person was afterward fulfilled and accomplished in Jesus Christ. See Col.1.15. Heb.1.6. and 2.10.] the highest over the Kings of the earth. [this is applicable to Christ alone, the true King of all Kings, as also that which is said, ver.30. see Col.1.18.]

29. I will keep him my kindness forever: and my Covenant shall remain firm to him, [i.e. that which I have promised unto him.]

30. And I will settle his seed forever [See 2 Sam.22.on v.51. and Psalm 2.30, 31.] and his throne as the days of the heavens, [i.e. his Kingdom shall be abiding and stedfast as the heavens themselves are. See Psalm 72.v.5. and 2 Sam.7.13. Dan.2.44. and 7.v.14. Hebrews 1:8. This prophesy was not fulfilled in Salomon, for he and his Kingdom had an end, Jer.22.30. Ezek.21.25,26,27. Thereof must this promise have regard to Christ the son of David, according to the flesh.]

31. If his children do forsake my Law [This cannot be applied to Christ, but is to be understood of other sons or posterity of David] and walk not in my rights.

32. If they prophane my institutions, and do not keep my commandements.

33. Then will I visit [See the annot. Genesis 1.v.1.] their transgression with the rod, [to wit, with a humane, or mans rod 2 Sam.7.14. that is with moderate chastisement, for their good and amendment, to be made partakers of his holiness, Hebr. 12.6,10. See Job 9:34.] and their iniquity with stripes.

34. But my kindness I will not take away from him, [Hebr. Break from, with him, i.e. not so a that it should cease to be with or by him] nor fail in my faithfulness: [Heb. Nor will not lie in (or) against my faithfulness; that is, from shewing my faithfulness upon, or towards him.]

35. I will not prophane my covenant and that which is gone forth of my lips [i.e. that which I promise to my servant David, or to any of my children. Heb. The issue of my lips] I will not alter.

36. I have sworn once by holiness [i.e. by my self, that am the holy God, Gen.22.6. Isa.5.16.] if I do lie to (or by) David! [of this kind of making oath, see Gen.14.23. and 26.29. Sam.14.44. and 1 Kings 20:10. Psalms 95:11. Mark 8:12. we read, if there shall be a sign given to the generation, but Mat.16.4. it is expressed, there shall no sign given them.]

37. His seed shall be forever [See above v.30.] and his throne shall be formed like the sun, [i.e. his kingdom. Davids kingdom is said to be everlasting, in regard that Christ born of the seed of David, according to the flesh, and to whom the Lord hath given the stool of his father David, is an everlasting King, Luke 1:32.]

38. He shall be established forever, as the moon, and the witness in heaven is faithful. [To wit, in as much as those celestial bodies do represent the stability and unchangeableness which is in God. See above v.3. and below Psa.97.6. Or which (viz. Moon) is a faithful witness in heaven. Or and (hereof) there is a faithful witness in heaven, that is I my self, that dwell in heaven give faithful record or witness hereof] Sela!

39. But thou had rejected (him) and cast (him) off, [viz. Thy King and thy people. Ethan bewaileth and complaineth here of the misery of the Church, which was such that it seemed all the former promises were of no value nor efficacy] thou hast been incensed against thine anointed. [viz. The King, some do understand Zedekia, 2 King 25.10.]

40. Thou hast made void the Covenant of thy servant, [To wit, that covenant which thou hadst made with thy servant the King] thou hast profaned his Crown against the ground. [i.e. thou hast thrown and trodden down his Crown on the ground, as a thing of no regard; He speaketh of the Crown of the Kingdom of Juda, which David had and wore in former times. See the annot. Exodus 29:6.]

41. Thou hast broke through all his walls: [viz. The Kings, understand the walls of Jerusalem, See 2 Kings 25:10,13. Psalms 80:13.] thou hast thrown down his Forts. [or bruised, battered them. Heb. Put them to bruising.

42. All that passed by the way, have spoiled him, he hath been a reproach to his neigbours.

43. Thou hast exalted the right hand of his Adversary, [viz, giving them power and courage to make war upon thy people, yea and to subdue the same, as Job 40:9.] thou hast made all his Enemies to rejoice.

44. Thou hast likewise turned the egde of his sword: i.e. made to turn about, that is, thou hast given him no victory in the wars, as thou was wont to do formerly] and hast not kept him standing in the Battail. [Thou hast given him no force nor vigour, to renew the combat and to turn his head again against his Enemies, but thou hast suffered him to fall and fly before them.]

45. Thou hast made his beauty to cease [Heb. Thou hast made to cease from his cleanness (his beauty), the Kings namely. Understand hereby the beauty, excellency, and glory of the Kingdom, which the enemies of the Church of God had laid wast] and thou hast thrust down his Throne [i.e. his Kingdom] to the ground.

46. Thou hast shortened the days of his youth [i.e. of his strength and vigour: This some refer to the flourishing Kingdom of David and Salomon, others to Jojachin, who being eighteen years old, began to reign, and reigned but three Months, 2 Kings 24:8, 10.] thou hast covered him with shame. Sela!

47. How long, O LORD [viz. Wilt thou forsake us. See the like complaints, Psalms 13:2. and 79.5.] wilt thou hide thee [i.e. withdraw from us thy favour] continually? [See Psalm 13.on v.2.] shall thy fierceness burn like a fire?

48. Remember of what age I am [i.e. how short my life is. See Psalms 39:6.]why shouldest thou have created all mens childrens in vain? [viz. By taking them away out of the world, as soon they as they are entered, without attaining to the means to know and praise thee.]

49. What man lives there that shall not see death? [i.e. 2.26. John 8:51.] that shall free his soul from the power of the grave? [Heb. From the hand of the grave, or of hell. Hebr. Scheol: The sence is, what needeth it, that thou settest thy power a work, to consume us, seeing we are in no wise or no ways able to eschew death] Sela!

50. Lord where are thy former kindnesses (which) thou hast sworn to David by thy troth?

51. Remember Lord the reproach of thy servants [Understand this of the reproach and scoffings, which Gods people suffered from their Enemies, who laughed at them in their mournful and miserable condition, and made a mock of their worshiping of God, and trusting in him] which I carry in my bosom (from) all great Nations. [i.e. from all kind of the. Oth. From all the multitude of people, viz. That jeer ad dishonour me.]

52. Wherewith, O LORD, thine enemies reproach, wherewith they reproach the footsteps of thine anointed. [i.e. the actions and government of thy King, which ought so to be understood of the King of Juda, that it be especially applied to Jesus Christ the eternal King of the Church, of whom was foretold, Gen.3.15. that the serpent should bruise his heels. Some do apply this reproaching of the footsteps of the anointed, to the scoffing of the wicked in those days at the slow coming of the Messiah.]

53. Praised (or blessed) be the LORD in eternity: [The Psalmist concludeth the heavy complaint, which he made in this Psalm, with a confident assurance of being delivered out of this grievous affliction, supporting and cherishing himself therewith in the midst of his miseries. See Rom.7.24,25. And 2 Cor.1.3,4.] Amen [see Psa.41.14.] yea Amen.