Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 89

Click here to read PSALM 89 in poetic form.

Background

Psalm 89 is final Psalm in the Leviticus book of the Psalms (73—89). The Old Testament book of Leviticus focuses on matters in the sanctuary: the priesthood, ceremonial laws, and feasts. Almost all of these 17 Psalms mention the sanctuary and God’s relation to it. Psalms 89 closes the Leviticus book of Psalms with a triumphal promise that the Messiah, God’s anointed (verse 20) would sit upon the throne forever (verses 3,4) as God’s ruler in the sanctuary.

This Psalm has the title “Maschil,” which means instruction. It was used for public teaching and shows the victory God gives through His Messiah. It includes “Ethan the Ezrahite.” Ethan was known for his wisdom. I Kings 4:31: “For he [Solomon] was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite….” He was one of three leaders of worship services in Jerusalem. I Chronicles 15:19: “So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass.” He was also called Jeduthun. I Chronicles 25:1: “Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals.” He was known to be a “seer” for King Josiah. II Chronicles 35:15: “And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer.” These three leaders contributed to the Book of Psalms. Note that some Psalms are attributed to Asaph, Psalm 88 to Heman, and this Psalm to Ethan.

This Psalm is divided into five sections by the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term.

Structure

(Verses 1-4) God’s mercy in setting the Messiah on the throne forever

Pause

(Verses 5-37) God’s greatness, faithfulness, and mercy to keep His promise of the Messiah

Pause

(Verses 38-45) David’s sufferings (and those of the Messiah)

Pause

(Verses 46-48) Man’s hopelessness in death (without the Messiah)

Pause

(Verses 49-52) God’s blessings to the Messiah despite his sufferings

Key Scriptures

Verse 1—”I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.” Jesus Christ as the Messiah was the “sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:3; Acts 13:34). The word “faithfulness” is used six other times in this Psalm (verses 2,5,8,24,33, and verse 49 where it is translated “in thy truth”). Psalm 89 shows God’s great faithfulness in keeping His promises concerning the Messiah. This ends the Leviticus book of Psalms, and shows that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would make available access to the Father even greater than what an earthly “sanctuary” could provide.

Verses 3,4—“I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations.” This is the great promise of Messiah’s eternal reign as King of kings. Jesus Christ was called the “son of David.”

Verses 19-21—“Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people. I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed [root word for ‘Messiah’] him: With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.” This is quoted in Acts 13:22 and then states: “Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus” (Acts 13:23). Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of this promise to David, for Jesus was the Messiah.

Verses 35,36—”Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.” Jesus was asked about this scripture in John 12:34,35: “The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.” Jesus Christ knew that ultimately he would be raised with a new body and reign forever under his Father’s authority. But he also knew that his time on earth in his ministry was limited. That is why he always did the will of the Father, and finished his Father’s works.

Verse 51,52—“Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O Lord; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed [root word for ‘Messiah’]. Blessed be the Lord for evermore. Amen, and Amen.” God’s enemies “reproach”, or blaspheme, against Him when they speak against His Messiah. The Devil reproaches Christ’s footsteps, but we “follow” them. I Peter 2:21: “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” The “Amen, and Amen” closes the Leviticus book of Psalms, just as Psalm 41:13 closed the Genesis book and Psalm 72:20 closed the Exodus book with “Amen, and Amen.”

FOR FURTHER STUDY

All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!

The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.