Psalm 89:19-52
Q.1. What made David special? How can we account for the constant victories of David in battle? – (Ps.89:19-29)
In this Psalm, Ethan gave special attention to God’s Covenant with David. David had been first anointed by Samuel the prophet and was later affirmed by the prophet Nathan. Here Ethan recalled – 19 Once You spoke in a vision to Your godly ones, and said, ‘I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. 20 I have found David My servant; With My holy oil I have anointed him (Ps.89:19-20 c.f. 1 Sam.16:1, 6-13; 2 Sam.7:4-17). This calling explained David’s success over his enemies, and also his intimacy with the Lord – 24 My faithfulness and My lovingkindness will be with him, and in My name his horn will be exalted … 26 “He will cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.’ 27 “I also shall make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. 28 “My lovingkindness I will keep for him forever, and My covenant shall be confirmed to him. 29 “So I will establish his descendants forever and his throne as the days of heaven (Ps.89:24, 26-29). God’s purposes can never be thwarted. He preserved David, until He had accomplished all His pre-determined plan for him, and through him.
Q.2. What will God do to those who violate His Covenant? Would God ever break the Covenant He has made? – (Ps.89:30-37)
There are several certainties God knew: (i) The people of Israel would break their Covenant with Him (Ps.89:30-31 c.f. Deut.31:16). (ii) God would correct and chasten His erring people – Then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes (Ps.89:32 c.f. Deut.31:17-18). (iii) GOD WILL NEVER BREAK HIS COVENANT THAT HE HAS MADE WITH SINFUL PEOPLE – But I will not break off My lovingkindness from him, nor deal falsely in My faithfulness. 34 My covenant I will not violate, nor will I alter the utterance of My lips. 35 Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David. 36 His descendants shall endure forever and his throne as the sun before Me. 37 It shall be established forever like the moon, and the witness in the sky is faithful.” (Ps.89:33-37 c.f. Deut.30:1-5; Jer.30:10-11; 31:35-37; 33:23-26). If the Lord failed to honour His Covenant with sinful people, no one could ever stand. This would negate the Gospel of Grace.
Q.3. How did God’s chastisement impact His people? How should we view approaching death? – (Ps.89:38-52)
Ethan doggedly held on to the Davidic promises, although he was keenly aware that God was punishing them, thus aiming to lead them to repentance (Ps.89:38-45). He cried out – How long, O Lord? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath burn like fire? (Ps.89:46). Such crushing trials remind us that we cannot escape death, and that we cannot save ourselves – 47 Remember what my span of life is; For what vanity You have created all the sons of men! 48 Can anyone live and not see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? (Ps.89:47-48). Ethan returned again to God’s Covenant promises to David … the only thing of which, He was sure. – Where is Your former loving kindnesses, O Lord, which You swore to David in Your faithfulness? (Ps.89:49). Until God again would shine through, the Psalmist hung tenaciously to the promises of God. That is sometimes the only way ahead.