Psalms 89:1-52

We have here another national and historical Ps., written when the Jewish kingdom and its king had fallen very low before their enemies, contrasting the promises made to David with their seeming lack of fulfilment in the course of events, and appealing to God to vindicate His faithfulness. Psalms 89:1 are introductory, announcing the Psalmist's purpose of praising God, and recalling the covenant made with David. The following vv. celebrate God's glory among His heavenly hosts (Psalms 89:5), in His victory over His enemies, especially Egypt (Psalms 89:8), and in the world of nature (Psalms 89:11). Psalms 89:13 declare His attributes of strength, righteousness, mercy, and truth, and Psalms 89:15 speak of the blessedness of His people and their king. His promises to David are repeated at length (Psalms 89:19), and the present humiliation of king and people are graphically described (Psalms 89:38). The closing vv. are a prayer, in which the Psalmist pleads the shortness of his own life, and the reproaches of the heathen, as reasons for a speedy manifestation of God's faithfulness to His word (Psalms 89:46). Psalms 89:52 is the closing doxology of Book 3 of the Psalter. The Ps. was probably written during the exile, and it has been supposed that the king of Psalms 89:39 is Jehoiachin, who was deposed and carried away to Babylon in his youth, after a reign of three months (2 Kings 24:8; 2 Chronicles 36:9; Jeremiah 24:1; Jeremiah 29:2), and kept a prisoner there for thirty-seven years (2 Kings 25:27).

Title.—Maschil] see on Psalms 32. Ethan the Ezrahite] mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31 and 1 Chronicles 2:6.

3, 4. God is here the speaker: see on Psalms 89:19. Selah] see on Psalms 3:4;