Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryPsalms 89

Faithful Praise in Difficult TimesThe psalmist begins with praise, even though he has a sad complaint about the troubled state of David’s family. He sets an example for us: in every situation, even in hard times, we should give thanks and sing of God’s goodness. Praising God can bring more joy than simply complaining. No matter what happens, God’s mercy never ends and His promises are always true. We are encouraged to keep praising and trusting God’s faithfulness, teaching future generations to do the same. The covenant God made with David is firm and everlasting, no matter how things look right now.v. 1: The psalmist says, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord

v. 2: He says, For I have said, Mercy shall be built up forever; your faithfulness you shall establish in the very heavens . God’s mercy is like a building that keeps growing and will never fall. God’s faithfulness is as unchanging as the heavens, above all the changes and troubles on earth.

v. 3: The psalmist remembers God’s promise: I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn to my servant David . God made a special promise to David, and He will never break His word. This covenant is sure because God Himself has sworn to keep it.

v. 4: God promised, Your seed I will establish forever, and build up your throne to all generations . David’s family would always have a king, and his royal line would last forever. This promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is of David’s family and whose kingdom will never end (Jeremiah 33:20-21 ).

The Divine Power and Justice; The Glory of God CelebratedThese verses are filled with praise for God. The psalmist shows that God is honored both in heaven and on earth. Angels and saints worship Him for His wonders, His faithfulness, and His unmatched power. God rules over all creation, shows justice and kindness, and deserves our deepest respect and praise.v. 5: The psalmist says, The heavens shall praise your wonders, O Lord

v. 6: He asks, For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord

v. 7: God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him . God’s people should come together with respect and awe. When we worship, we must remember how great and holy God is (Leviticus 10:3; Hebrews 12:28 ).

v. 8: He continues, O Lord

v. 9: You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them . God controls the wildest parts of creation, like the stormy sea. Nothing is beyond His power, just as Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4:39 ).

v. 10: You have broken Rahab in pieces, as one who is slain; you have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm . God has defeated proud nations, like Egypt (called Rahab), and scattered His enemies. His power brings comfort to His people when they remember His victories in the past (Psalm 59:11 ).

v. 11: The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours; the world and all its fullness, you have founded them . God owns all things, because He made everything. Both heaven and earth belong to Him.

v. 12: The north and the south, you have created them; Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name . God created even the farthest and highest places. Famous mountains like Tabor and Hermon show God’s greatness and celebrate His name (Psalm 65:12 ).

v. 13: You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, and high is your right hand . God’s power is supreme. Nothing can stand against His strength and His mighty works (Psalm 118:16 ).

v. 14: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; mercy and truth go before your face . Everything God does is fair and wise. He rules with justice, kindness, and faithfulness. God’s promises are always kept, and He is better than His word. This is why He is worthy of all our praise.

The Blessedness of Israel DeclaredAfter praising the greatness of the God of Israel, the psalmist now describes the happiness of God’s people. The nation of Israel is truly blessed, especially as a picture of all true believers. This joy is shown in the good news they receive, the special favor God gives them, and the honor of belonging to Him. The psalmist explains how God’s people can rejoice, find strength, and be protected because of their close relationship with the Lord

v. 16: God’s people walk in the light of His presence. They shall walk, O Lord

v. 17: They always have a reason to rejoice. In your name they rejoice all day long, and in your righteousness they are exalted . Their joy is constant, because it is rooted in God. They are lifted up and honored, not by their own goodness, but by God’s righteousness.

v. 18: The people are protected and honored by their relationship to God. For our shield belongs to the Lord

God’s Covenant with David This section describes how God chose David and made a special covenant with him and his descendants. The passage celebrates the faithfulness and power of God, who raised up David from humble beginnings and promised to establish his throne forever. It shows that God’s blessings are given by His own choice and grace, not by human strength or merit. The covenant with David is important because it points forward to the coming of the Messiah, who would come from David’s family.v. 19: Then you spoke in vision to your holy one, and said: “I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.” (Psalm 89:19 ). God revealed His plan through a vision, announcing that He had chosen a special leader for His people. He picked David, a man who seemed ordinary among the people, and gave him strength to become a mighty king. God’s choice was not based on David’s own greatness, but on God’s purpose and promise. By lifting up David, God showed that He can use anyone He pleases for His work. The words also remind us that God still keeps His promises, even when things seem difficult for His people. This covenant with David was a sign of God’s faithfulness and pointed forward to the coming of Jesus, the true “Son of David,” who would be the greatest King forever (Luke 1:32-33 ).

Complaints and Expostulations; David's Expostulation with GodThis section contains a heartfelt complaint about the troubled state of David’s family and kingdom. The psalmist struggles to reconcile God’s promises with the current difficulties. Yet, even in this sorrow, the foundation of faith remains: God’s promises cannot fail. The psalmist expresses his pain while pleading with God to remember His covenant and show mercy. Despite the complaints, the psalm ends with praise, showing confidence in God’s unchanging goodness.v. 38: The psalmist laments, But you have cast off and abhorred, you have been furious with your anointed . He feels as though God has rejected David’s family, breaking His covenant. However, this is only a misunderstanding of God’s discipline. God’s covenant remains firm, even when His people face troubles.

v. 39: He continues, You have renounced the covenant of your servant; you have profaned his crown by casting it to the ground . The psalmist describes how the kingdom appears to have lost its glory and strength. The crown, once sacred, is now trampled and dishonored.

v. 40: You have broken down all his hedges; you have brought his strongholds to ruin . The defenses of David’s house are gone, leaving it vulnerable to attack. Even the protection they thought came from God’s covenant seems to have disappeared.

v. 41: All who pass by the way plunder him; he is a reproach to his neighbors . The psalmist mourns how the kingdom has become an easy target for enemies. Once admired, it is now mocked by neighboring nations (Psalm 80:12-13 ).

v. 42: You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries; you have made all his enemies rejoice . God has allowed David’s enemies to grow stronger, and they celebrate his downfall. The psalmist sees God’s hand in permitting this, which adds to his confusion and sorrow.

v. 43: You have also turned the edge of his sword, and have not sustained him in the battle . The kingdom no longer has the strength to defend itself. Both their weapons and their courage have failed, and the psalmist recognizes that this comes from God’s will.

v. 44: You have made his glory cease, and cast his throne down to the ground . David’s kingdom, once so glorious, is now humiliated. The throne that symbolized God’s promises seems destroyed.

v. 45: The days of his youth you have shortened; you have covered him with shame . The psalmist reflects on how the kingdom, still young, has already begun to fade. The shame of this decline weighs heavily on him.

v. 46: He cries out, How long, Lord

v. 47: Remember how short my time is; for what futility have you created all the children of men? . He reminds God of life’s brevity and asks for mercy. If life is so short, why should it be filled with so much pain and trouble?

v. 48: What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave? . The psalmist reflects on the certainty of death. Since no one can escape it, he asks God to show kindness while life lasts.

v. 49: He asks, Lord

v. 50-51: Remember, Lord

v. 52: Despite all the sorrow, the psalm ends with praise. Blessed be the Lord