Psalm 89 (NASB2020)

Psalm 89

The Lord’s Covenant with David and Israel’s Afflictions.

A 89:0 Possibly, Contemplative; or Didactic; or Skillful PsalmMaskil of 89:0 1 Kin 4:31Ethan 89:0 Ps 88: titlethe Ezrahite.

1I will sing of the graciousness of the Lord forever;

To all generations I will make Your faithfulness known with my mouth.

2For I have said, “Graciousness will be built up forever;

In the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.”

3“I have made a covenant with My chosen;

I have sworn to My servant David,

4I will establish your 89:4 Lit seeddescendants forever

And build up your throne to all generations.” Selah

5¶The heavens will praise Your wonders, Lord;

Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.

6For who in the skies is comparable to the Lord?

Who among the 89:6 Or sons of godssons of the mighty is like the Lord,

7A God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones,

And awesome above all those who are around Him?

8Lord God of armies, who is like You, mighty 89:8 Heb YahLord?

Your faithfulness also surrounds You.

9You rule the surging of the sea;

When its waves rise, You calm them.

10You Yourself crushed 89:10 I.e., Egypt, as a sea monster; not to be confused with Rahab in Joshua 2Rahab like one who is slain;

You scattered Your enemies with 89:10 Lit the arm of Your mightYour mighty arm.

11¶The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours;

The world and 89:11 Lit its fullnessall it contains, You have established them.

12The north and the south, You have created them;

Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Your name.

13You have 89:13 Lit an arm with strengtha strong arm;

Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted.

14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;

Mercy and 89:14 Or faithfulnesstruth go before You.

15Blessed are the people who know the 89:15 Or blast of the trumpet, shout of joyjoyful sound!

Lord, they walk in the light of Your face.

16In Your name they rejoice all the day,

And by Your righteousness they are exalted.

17For You are the glory of their strength,

And by Your favor 89:17 Another reading is You exalt our hornour horn is exalted.

18For our shield belongs to the Lord,

89:18 Or Even to the Holy One of Israel our KingAnd our king to the Holy One of Israel.

19¶89:19 Or At that timeOnce You spoke in vision to Your godly 89:19 Some mss oneones,

And said, “I have 89:19 Lit placed help upongiven help to one who is mighty;

I have exalted one chosen from the people.

20“I have found My servant David;

With My holy oil I have anointed him,

21With whom My hand will be established;

My arm also will strengthen him.

22“The enemy will not 89:22 Or exact usury from himdeceive him,

Nor will the 89:22 Or wicked manson of wickedness afflict him.

23“But I will crush his adversaries before him,

And strike those who hate him.

24“My faithfulness and My favor will be with him,

And in My name his horn will be exalted.

25“I will also place his hand on the sea,

And his right hand on the rivers.

26“He will call to Me, ‘You are my Father,

My God, and the rock of my salvation.’

27“I will also make him My firstborn,

The highest of the kings of the earth.

28“I will maintain My favor for him forever,

And My covenant shall be confirmed to him.

29“So I will establish his 89:29 Lit seeddescendants forever,

And his throne as the days of heaven.

30¶“If his sons abandon My Law

And do not walk in My judgments,

31If they 89:31 Lit profaneviolate My statutes

And do not keep My commandments,

32Then I will punish their wrongdoing with the rod,

And their guilt with 89:32 Or plaguesafflictions.

33“But I will not 89:33 Lit breakwithhold My favor from him,

Nor deal falsely in My faithfulness.

34“I will not 89:34 Lit profaneviolate My covenant,

Nor will I alter 89:34 Lit that which goes forththe utterance of My lips.

35“89:35 Or One thingOnce I have sworn by My holiness;

I will not lie to David.

36“His 89:36 Lit seeddescendants shall endure forever,

And his throne as the sun before Me.

37“It shall be established forever like the moon,

And a witness in the sky is faithful.” Selah

38¶But You have rejected and refused,

You have been full of wrath 89:38 Lit withagainst Your anointed.

39You have 89:39 I.e., scornfully rejectedrepudiated the covenant of Your servant;

You have profaned his crown 89:39 Lit to the groundin the dust.

40You have broken down all his walls;

You have brought his strongholds to ruin.

41All who pass along the way plunder him;

He has become a disgrace to his neighbors.

42You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries;

You have made all his enemies rejoice.

43You also turn back the edge of his sword,

And have not made him stand in battle.

44You have put an end to his 89:44 Lit clearness, lustersplendor

And cast his throne to the ground.

45You have shortened the days of his youth;

You have covered him with shame. Selah

46¶How long, Lord?

Will You hide Yourself forever?

Will Your wrath burn like fire?

47Remember 89:47 Lit of what duration I amwhat my lifespan is;

For what futility 89:47 Or have You...mankind?You have created all the sons of mankind!

48What man can live and not see death?

Can he save his soul from the 89:48 Lit handpower of 89:48 I.e., the netherworldSheol? Selah

49¶Where are Your former acts of favor, Lord,

Which You swore to David in Your faithfulness?

50Remember, Lord, the taunt against Your servants;

89:50 Lit My bearing in my chestHow I carry in my heart the taunts of all the many peoples,

51With which Your enemies have taunted, Lord,

With which they have taunted the footsteps of Your anointed.

52¶Blessed be the Lord forever!

Amen and Amen.

Understand Psalm 89

Walk through Psalm 89 verse by verse, then read what three commentaries say about the chapter. The explanations are written for new readers.

Read the Psalm 89 commentary