Psalms 89

Psalms 89:1

Title. Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite] Or, a psalm for Ethan the Ezrahite, to give instruction.

Ethan] It seems to be that Ethan mentioned, 1 Kings 4:31. who living to see the kingdom divided in Rehoboams time, composed this psalm. Others think it was one of that name that lived in the captivity of Babylon.

Ezrahite] Of Zara, 1 Chronicles 2:6.

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord] Though the horrible confusion of things might cause them to despair of Gods favour, yet the manifold examples of his mercies, cause them to trust in God, though, to mans judgement, they saw none occasion.

to all generations] Heb. to generation and generation.

Psalms 89:2

For I have said] As he that surely believed it in heart.

Mercy shall be built up for ever] Abide firm, like a strong building; not be moveable, like tents.

thy faithfulnesse shalt thou establish in the very heavens] Thy promise will be performed, as sure as the heavens abide: or, thou hast shewed the unchangeablenesse of thy truth, in setling the heavens.

heavens] Psalms 119:89.

Psalms 89:3

I have made a covenant with my chosen] The prophet sheweth what was the promise of God whereon he grounded his faith.

sworn unto David my servant] 2 Samuel 7:11, &c.

Psalms 89:4

Thy seed will I establish for ever] Vers. 29, 36. This is performed in Christ the Son of David.

to all generations] Heb. to generation and generation.

Psalms 89:5

the heavens shall praise thy wonders] The angels praise thy power and truth, and therefore it is the more to be marvelled at, that Davids kingdom flourisheth not, v. 38. to whom thou hast made such faithfull promises.

in the congregation of the saints] In heaven; or, among the saints on earth.

Psalms 89:6

who, among the sons of the mightie, can be likened unto the Lord?] That is, the angels: or, the great princes of the world, psal. 29. 1.

Psalms 89:7

in the assembly of the saints] If the angels tremble before Gods Majestie and infinite Justice, what earthly creature, by oppressing the Church, dare set himself against God?

Psalms 89:8

who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulnesse round] Or, who is like unto thee? a strong God, and thy faithfulnesse is round.

like unto thee?] Psalms 35:10.

Psalms 89:9

Thou rulest the raging of the sea] We doubt not of thy power, for thou hast shewed it in ruling the sea in the greatest tempest, and pulling down the proud enemies of the Church, psal. 93. 3, 4.

raging of the sea] Psalms 65:7.

Psalms 89:10

Rahab] Or, Egypt.

with thy strong arm] Heb. with the arm of thy strength.

Psalms 89:11

The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine] Genesis 1:1. Psalms 24:1. and Psalms 50:12.

Psalms 89:12

Tabor and Hermon shall rejoyce in thy Name] Tabor stands westward from Jerusalem, and Hermon eastward: so that all places, east, west, north and south, have cause to rejoyce in Gods power, which makes them fruitfull.

Psalms 89:13

a mightie arm] Heb. an arm with might.

Psalms 89:14

Justice and judgement are the habitation of thy throne] Psalms 97:2. For hereby he judgeth the world, and sheweth himself a mercifull father and faithfull protectour unto his.

habitation] Or, establishment.

Psalms 89:15

the joyfull sound] Of the trumpet, calling them to the solemn assemblies, Numbers 10:6.

in the light of thy countenance] The tokens of thy favour seen in the Sanctuary.

Psalms 89:16

In thy Name shall they rejoyce] As thou art made known to them in thy publike ordinances.

Psalms 89:17

of their strength] They have all their strength from thee.

our horn shall be exalted] Psalms 75:10.

Psalms 89:18

For the Lord is our defence: and the holy one of Israel is our King] Or, For our strength was of the Lord, and our king of the holy one of Israel. That is, thou gavest us David a strong king in those days, v. 19, &c.

Psalms 89:19

to the holy one] To thy holy one; that is, to Samuel.

that is mightie] Whom, as I have chosen, so have I given him strength to execute his office, psal. 4. 3.

out of the people] One of mean parentage: or, the choisest man, for parts, among all the people, 1 Samuel 10:24.

Psalms 89:20

I have found David my servant] 1 Samuel 16:12.

Psalms 89:23

I will heat down his foes before his face] Though there shall be evermore enemies against Gods Kingdom, yet he promiseth to overcome them.

Psalms 89:24

my mercie shall be with him] I will mercifully perform my promises to him, notwithstanding his defects and defaults.

in my Name shall his horn be exalted] His power, glory and estate.

horn be exalted] Verse 17.

Psalms 89:25

I will set his hand also in the sea] He shall enjoy the lands round about him by conquest.

Psalms 89:26

Thou art my Father] His excellent dignity shall appear herein, That he shall be named the son of God, and the first-born, wherein he is a figure of Christ.

Psalms 89:29

His seed also will I make to endure for ever] Vers. 4, 36. Though for the sins of the people the whole state of this kingdom decayed, yet God reserved still a root, till he had accomplished this promise in Christ.

Psalms 89:30

and walk not in my judgements] Gods law is divided into judgements, statutes and commandments: that is, judiciall, ceromoniall and morall laws, Malachi 4:4.

Psalms 89:31

break my statutes] Heb. profane my statutes.

Psalms 89:32

visit their transgression with the rod] 2 Samuel 7:14.

Psalms 89:33

Neverthelesse, my loving kindnesse will I not utterly take from him] Though the faithfull answer not in all points to their profession, yet God will not break his covenant with them.

will I not utterly take from him] Heb. I will not make void from him.

to fail] Heb. to lye.

Psalms 89:34

My covenant will I not break] If they profane my statutes, v. 31. yet I will not profane my covenant.

nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips] For God in promising, hath respect to his mercy, and not to mans power in performing, Malachi 3:6. James 1:17.

Psalms 89:35

that I will not lye] Heb. If I lye.

Psalms 89:36

His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me] Vers. 4. 29. 2 Samuel 7:16. Luke 1. 33. John 12. 34.

as the sun before me] Perpetuall and glorious.

Psalms 89:37

as a faithfull witnesse in heaven] That is, as the moon, which, though it be sometimes in the wane, and in the eclipse, yet remains a true witnesse of Gods covenant, Jeremiah 33:20.

Psalms 89:39

Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant] Because of the horrible confusion of things, the prophet complaineth to God, as though he saw not the performance of his promise.

thou hast profaned his crown] By this, he meaneth the horrible dissipation and renting of the kingdom by Jeroboam: unlesse it were another Ethan. See Notes on the title.

Psalms 89:40

Thou hast broken down all his hedges] Psalms 80:12. Isaiah 5:5. Thou hast made his kingdom like a field without hedges, exposed to spoil.

Psalms 89:42

thou hast made all his enemies to rejoyce] By giving them victory over him.

Psalms 89:44

glory] Heb. brightnesse.

Psalms 89:45

The days of his youth hast thou shortened] He sheweth, that the kingdom fell before it came to perfection.

Psalms 89:46

How long, Lord] How long, LORD, wilt thou hide thy self? for ever?

How long, Lord, wilt thou hide thy self for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?] Psalms 79:5.

Psalms 89:47

Remember how short my time is] Remember how short my life is, and to what vanity thou hast created men: that is, to mortality, v. 48. and therefore give us some comfort before we die, psal. 39. 13.

wherefore hast thou made all men vain?] Or, to what vanity thou hast made all men.

Psalms 89:48

see death] Hebrews 11:5. Or, suffer death. Die.

Psalms 89:49

swarest unto David in thy truth?] 2 Samuel 7:15.

Psalms 89:50

how I do bear in my bosome the reproach of all the mighty people] Which I take exceedingly to heart, psal. 69. 9.

Psalms 89:51

Wherewith thine enemies have reproached] So he calleth them that persecute the Church.

the footsteps of thine anointed] They not onely ruine his kingdom, but also revile his actions.

Psalms 89:52

Blessed be the Lord for evermore] The voice of faith and joy, in expectation of deliverance.