1 An instruction of Ethan the Ezrahite.
2 I will sing of the mercies of Jehovah for ever, with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness [from] generation to generation.
3 For I said, For ever shall mercy be built up; thou wilt stablish thy faithfulness in the heavens.
4 I have made a covenant with mine elect [one], I have sworn to David my servant.
5 For ever will I stablish thy seed, and build up thy throne [from] generation to generation. Selah.
6 And the heavens shall confess thy wonder, O Jehovah, and thy faithfulness in the congregation of the saints.
7 For who in the sky can compare with Jehovah? [who] among the sons of the mighty (pl.) can be likened to Jehovah?
8 God (El) [is] greatly to be feared in the council of the saints and terrible above all those around him.
9 Jehovah God of hosts, who [is] like thee, strong Jah, and thy faithfulness round about thee?
10 Thou rulest in the pride of the sea, in the arising of its waves thou stillest them.
11 Thou hast crushed Rahab as a slain [one]; with the arm of thy strength thou hast scattered thine enemies.
12 Thine [are] the heavens, also thine the earth; the world and its fulness thou hast founded them.
13 The north and the south, thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon triumph in thy name.
14 Thine [is] an arm with might, strong is thy hand; exalted is thy right hand.
15 Righteousness and judgment [are] the foundation of thy throne, mercy and truth go before thy face.
16 Blessed the people that know the joyful shout! Jehovah, in the light of thy face they walk.
17 In thy name they rejoice all the day, and in thy righteousness they are exalted.
18 For thou [art] the honor of their strength, and in thy favor our horn shall be exalted.
19 For to Jehovah [belongeth] our shield, and to the Holy one of Israel, our king.
20 Then thou spakest in vision of thy Holy One, and saidst, I have laid help upon a mighty one, I have exalted one chosen from the people.
21 I have found David my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him;
22 With whom my hand shall be established, also, mine arm shall strengthen him.
23 No enemy shall exact upon him, nor son of wickedness afflict him.
24 And I will beat down his adversaries before him, and will smite his haters.
25 And my faithfulness and my mercy [shall be] with him, and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
26 And I will set his hand in the sea, and in the rivers his right hand.
27 He shall call upon me, My father [art] thou, my God (El) and the rock of my salvation.
28 And for me, I will make him first-born, highest of kings of earth.
29 My mercy will I keep for him, and my covenant [shall be] fixed for him.
30 And 1 have set for ever his seed, and his throne as the days of heaven.
31 If his sons forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments,
32 If they profane my statutes, and keep not my commandments,
33 Then will I visit their transgressions with a rod and their iniquities with stripes.
34 But my mercy I will not utterly take from him, nor belie my faithfulness;
35 Nor will I profane my covenant, nor change what is gone out of my lips.
36 Once have I sworn in my holiness, I will not lie to David,
37 His seed shall be for ever, and his throne as the sun before me,
38 As the moon is established for ever, as the witness in the sky [is] firm. Selah.
39 But thou hast cast off and rejected; thou hast been wroth with thine anointed one;
40 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant;
41 Thou hast broken down all his hedges, thou hast brought his strongholds to ruin.
42 All that pass by the way plunder him; he is become a reproach to his neighbors.
43 Thou hast exalted the right hand of his adversaries. Thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
44 Yea, thou turnest back the edge of his sword, and hast not made him stand in the battle.
45 Thou hast made his brightness to cease, and his throne to the earth thou hast cast down.
46 Thou hast shortened the days of his youth, thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.
47 How long, O Jehovah, wilt thou hide thyself for ever? Shall thy wrath burn as fire?
48 Remember as to me what [is] life? Whyfor hast thou created all sons of man (Adam) vanity?
49 What man (geber) liveth and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of Sheol? Selah.
50 Where [are] thy former mercies, Lord, thou swarest to David in thy faithfulness?
51 Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants—I bear in my bosom all the mighty (or many) peoples—
52 [With] which thine enemies have reproached, O Jehovah; [with] which they have reproached the footsteps (heels) of thine anointed one.
53 Blessed [be] Jehovah for ever. Amen and Amen.
Notes on Psalm 89
This is “An instruction of Ethan the Ezrahite.”
In striking contrast, but morally connected closely with the preceding tone of depression and wrath under law, is the last psalm of this book. It is truly the expression of mercy and faithfulness in Christ, the object and securer of divine promises and especially of those to David. Then was the dark night; soon comes the dawn of the day when the Sun of righteousness arises with healing in His wings for the afflicted righteous, and He shall tread down the wicked as ashes. For it is in no way the gospel of grace, but the kingdom displayed in power and justice by Jehovah Messiah on the earth. This closes Book 3.