Psalms 89:17

And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. -Inasmuch as the value of a promise depends on the power and the faithfulness of the promiser, the Psalmist sets forth these attributes as especially belonging to God (Psalms 89:5), and infers hence, the blessedness of the people who are the objects of His promises (Psalms 89:15). This whole part consists of fourteen verses-the general introduction in three verses (Psalms 89:5); the body of the subject in seven (Psalms 89:8); and the conclusion ...

17._For thou art the glory of their strength. _The same sentiment is confirmed when it is declared, that God never leaves his faithful servants destitute of strength. By the appellation _the glory of their strength, _which is ascribed to him, is meant that they are always so sustained by his present aid as to have just ground to glory in him; or which amounts to the same thing, that his power appears always glorious in aiding and sustaining them. They are, however, at the same time, reminded of the duty of yielding to God all the praise of their being preserved in safety. If this is true as to the present life, it is much more truly applicable to the spiritual life of the soul. Farther, the more highly to magnify this instance of God’s liberality, we are taught, at the same time, that it depends entirely upon his good pleasure, there being no other cause of it. (536) Whence it follows, t...

15-18 Happy are those who so know the joyful sound of the gospel as to obey it; who experience its power upon their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives. Though believers are nothing in themselves, yet having all in Christ Jesus, they may rejoice in his name. May the Lord enable us to do so. The joy of the Lord is the strength of his people; whereas unbelief dispirits ourselves and discourages others. Though it steals upon us under a semblance of humility, yet it is the very essence of pride. Christ is the Holy One of Israel; and in him was that peculiar people more blessed than in any other blessing....

Verse Psalms 89:17. _FOR THOU_ ART _THE GLORY OF THEIR STRENGTH_] They are strong in faith, and give glory to thee, because they know that their strength cometh from the Lord of hosts. _AND IN THY FAVOUR OUR HORN SHALL BE EXALTED._] Instead of תרום _tarum_, "shall be exalted," תרים _tarim_, "thou shalt exalt," is the reading of several MSS.: but תרום _tarum_, "shall be exalted," is supported by _forty-four_ of _Kennicott's_ MSS., and _sixty_ of _De_ _Rossi's_, as well as by several ancient editions, with the _Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate_, and _Arabic_ Versions. In the enjoyment of the Divine favour they shall grow more _wise_, more _holy_, more _powerful_, and, consequently, more _happy_....

FOR THOU ART THE GLORY OF THEIR STRENGTH - The ornament; the beauty; the honor; that is, Their strength derives its beauty and honor, not from anything in themselves, but from the fact that it is derived from thee. The strength thus imparted is an honor or ornament in itself; it is an honor and glory to them that it is imparted to them. AND IN THY FAVOR - Or, by thy favor, or good pleasure. OUR HORN SHALL BE EXALTED - The horn is a symbol of power. Compare Psalms 22:21, note; Psalms 75:4; Daniel 7:8, note; Job 16:15, note. The meaning he

EXPOSITION At first sight, a psalm of praise; but, in reality, one of expostulation and complaint. The praises of God are sung in the opening section (Psalms 89:1); they culminated in the Davidical covenant. But this covenant has been "made void," annulled. The existing state of things is directly contrary to all its promises (Psalms 89:38-19). How long is this to continue? Does not God's faithfulness require the deliverance of Israel and of the Davidical house from their calamities, and their speedy restoration to his favour (Psalms 89:46-19)? Psalms 89:52 is no part of the psalm, but the doxology which

FOR THOU ART THE GLORY OF THEIR STRENGTH,.... By which they walk, and do all they do, exercise every grace, and discharge their duty; they have their strength from Christ, as well as their righteousness, without whom they can do nothing, but all things through him strengthening them; and as his righteousness exalts them, his strength adorns and glorifies them; how glorious and beautiful does a believer look, that is strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, in the grace that is in Christ, and in the exercise of faith on him, giving glory to God; on whom the power of Christ rests, and it overshadows, and in whose weakness his strength is made perfect! AND IN THY FAVOUR OUR HORN SHALL BE EXALTED; either Christ, the Horn of their salvation, who in an acceptable time, in the time of God's favour, or good will, was heard and helped by him as man, carried through his sufferings and d...

Psalms 89:1. Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. That is to say, an instructive Psalm, written by or for one Ethan, one of the great singers of David's day. He sings of the covenant, the covenant with David, ordered in all things and sure. There is no higher theme for song than the covenant of God's grace, one marvels that it has not oftener been sung by those who are the gifted children of poetry. Psalms 89:1. _I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever:_ Another subject might wear out, but this glorious topic will never be exhausted, Here is a theme which we can sing of in eternity as well as in time. Let others choose what subject they may, «I will sing of the mercies of Jehovah for ever.» Psalm

Psalms 89 God's Faithfulness: His Oath-bound Covenant with David _ 1. Jehovah's faithfulness (Psalms 89:1)_ 2. His covenant with David (Psalms 89:19) 3. The ruin and desolation (Psalms 89:38) 4. How long, Lord? Remember! (Psalms 89:46) A Maschil of Ethan, a Merarite (1 Chronicles 6:44; 1 Chronicles 15:17). The greater pa

LXXXIX. THE COVENANT WITH DAVID. The Ps. may be divided thus: Psalms 89:1. The promise made to David (2 Samuel 7). Yahweh is all-powerful, so that He can, faithful so that He will, fulfil His word. Psalms 89:19. The promise considered at greater length. Observe the sobriety of tone. It is David's dynasty, not David himself, which is to endure for ever, and the kingdom promised is not world-wide but limited to the old boundaries, viz. the Euphrates and the Egyptian frontier. Psalms 89:38. In spite of this great promise Israel is in abject misery, and the time is short, for human life is soon over. The Ps. is generally admitted to be post-exilic. The sceptre had already ...