Remembering the Covenant

The author of Psalm 89 is a man named Ethan. He’s mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31 and 2 Chronicles 2:6. Just as Heman of Psalm 88, he is compared to Solomon in his wisdom. Psalm 89 is interesting because it contains a good portion of the covenant God made with David in 2 Samuel 7. When we look at the Psalm, we can tell that Israel was experiencing a level of uncertainty when it was written. After Solomon died the kingdom split and there was unrest. Ethan appears to be looking at the current state of Israel and wondering if God has forgotten the covenant He made with David. Ethan experienced the days of prosperity under King Solomon. He longed to see those days again.

We will outline the Psalm as follows:

1. The King in Heaven (1-18).

2. The Covenant with David (19-37).

3. The Complaint against God (38-52).

1. The King in heaven (1-18).

A. Ethan praises God (1-4).

Ethan is in a difficult position. We will see that in verses 38-51. But that doesn’t stop him from singing of the mercies of the Lord. What he sees in the world has not changed his theology. Despite the fact that the nation he knows and loves is crumbling around him he continues to make known the faithfulness of God to the current and upcoming generation.

We see the word “faithfulness” used many times in this Psalm. It’s a theme of this Psalm. We see it in verses 1, 2, 5, 8, 14, & 33. Ethan is convinced of the faithfulness of God.

In verse 3 he begins quoting God. God has made a covenant with His servant David to establish an eternal ruler over Israel. This is the foundation of Ethan’s faith. He believes that God will be faithful to His word.

Ethan gives us an example to follow. How many times have we looked at our nation and wondered what might become of us? We are surrounded by sin. We are surrounded by violence and greed. Our current situation is depressing. We ought not to look around for very long before we look up. Reminding ourselves of the faithfulness of God is the key to continuing to proclaim the truth of God to the coming generations. God has given us promises that we can see by the light of faith in the darkest of nights. It is the faithfulness of God that enables us to praise God when times are difficult.

B. God is praised in the heavens (5-8)

There are a few references to angelic beings in verses 5-8.

“The heavens” (5) includes all that is in heaven. Note verse 6 “Who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD?”

“The congregation of the saints” (5) probably refers to gathered heavenly beings. “Saints” is literally “holy ones” in the Hebrew.

“Sons of the Mighty” (6) refers to heavenly beings.

“The assembly of the saints” (7) and those assembled “around Him” describes a heavenly court. My mind goes to Isaiah 6 where the Lord is surrounded by heavenly beings who shout “Holy, Holy, Holy”.

Even the angelic beings recognize the wonders and faithfulness of God. Angels, as glorious as they are, cannot be compared to the Lord. In a place as beautiful as heaven the Lord stands out as unique. He stands out as the most beautiful, the most powerful and the most faithful even among supernatural beings.

When it comes to faithfulness, imagine how convinced the angelic beings are of God. We have known God to be faithful for a few years. Even if we have enjoyed His faithfulness for 100 years that is nothing. The angels have observed the faithfulness of God for eons. Imagine how much more glorious their praise is than ours!

C. God’s power on the earth (9-13).

The power of God is not limited to heaven. His power is greater than the oceans with all of their current and waves. That was manifest when God split the Red Sea and destroyed the Egyptians. In verse 10 “Rahab” is a reference to Egypt.

There is nothing beyond the reach of God as verses 11-12 show. God owns all and He is over all. The heavens and the earth belong to Him. No matter how far North or South you go God will be there and whatever you discover He owns. Mount Hermon was to the North of Israel and Tabor was to its South. Because God is the Creator of all things He obviously:

Owns it all.

Is more powerful than it all.

God’s sovereignty over the earth inspires praise from creation. His creation rejoices in His name.

D. God’s people praise Him (14-18).

The people of God praise Him for His character. We see some attributes of God.

We see righteousness (justice) and justice (judgment) in verse 14.

We see mercy and truth there as well.

God is good all the time. His character is impeccable. For that reason, He can be trusted.

The people of God can rejoice because they know the Lord. They can live their life in light of who God is because they know they can trust Him.

Do you see the phrase “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound” in verse 15? That refers to the shouts made at the religious holy days of Israel. The people of God knew what the blowing of a trumpet meant. They knew what the songs of the elect meant.

Not only do they praise God because of His character, but they also praise God for all they have inherited through Him.

They receive exaltation (16).

They receive strength (17)

They receive protection (18).

They receive this inheritance because the Holy One of Israel is their King (18)! This King in heaven has a people on earth. This King who is praised in heaven is also praised on earth.

2. The Covenant with David (19-37).

A. David is God’s chosen king (19-22).

In 2 Samuel 7 David announces his intention to build a Temple for God. The Lord speaks through the prophet Nathan telling David not to build the Temple because one of his descendants is going to build it. It’s then that the Lord makes this covenant referenced in Psalm 89 with David. David was set apart by God for the purpose of raising up a descendant who would do great things for the Lord.

What this descendant attempts to do for God will be accomplished. The Lord will give this man the power and protection he needs to accomplish the task. Solomon, David’s son, would be the one responsible for the building of the Temple. But ultimately Jesus Christ, the descendant of David, would fulfill this covenant. As we will see later, some of the language used could only be used to describe a ruler far greater than anyone could imagine.

B. David and his descendant will prosper (23-29).

He will have military victories. God will do whatever necessary to defeat his enemies. He will be exalted as a strong warrior for God.

He will see kingdom expansion. We see that in verse 25. We’re not sure what ocean or rivers are referred to but they represent borders that are far apart.

He will know God in a personal way. We see that in verses 26-27. He will enjoy a special relationship with God as a firstborn son.

He will have an eternal rule with eternal descendants. While parts of the covenant were experienced through Solomon and David, it’s verses like verse 29 that show us this Psalm speaks prophetically of Jesus. Jesus as the Son of David is the One who will have an eternal kingdom with eternal citizens. What David and Solomon experienced in Israel was a shadow of what the covenant ultimately promised.

C. David’s descendants will be disciplined if necessary. (30-37).

There are some conditions associated with this covenant. David’s descendants can’ just assume they will be blessed regardless of the way they lived. If a King of Israel forsakes the law of God discipline can be expected. The rod and stripes are promised in verse 31. Ultimately the country would go into captivity as a form of discipline. As Christians we should remember that there is no sin without discipline. The level of sin determines the level of discipline. God has never spared the rod in history, and we should not expect Him to start with us.

Thank God for verse 33. Because of the loving kindness of God, He will not forsake His people. Look at verse 34. We may break covenant with God, but He will not break covenant with us. What God has promised us we will receive. Look at verses 35-36. God will not lie to David. He promised an eternal throne to his descendants, and it will come to pass. God’s promises are like the moon (37). You can count on the moon to be in out each night. You can count on the promises of God every day.

God’s promised ruler is Jesus Christ. All who belong to Him can rest in the promises of God. By faith in His sacrifice, we are heirs to all the promises of God. We may be disciplined but we will never be forsaken.

3. The Complaint against God (38-52).

A. He blames God (38-45).

I want to point you to verse 49 before we go any further. That verse is the key to understanding the complaint of the Psalmist. He tells the Lord to remember the covenant He made with David. In his mind it appears as if the Lord has forgotten about that covenant. What he fails to realize is he He himself has already admitted that God will discipline His people if necessary (32). We don’t know the exact context of the Psalm but it’s clear Israel was suffering defeat from its enemies when this was written.

In Ethan’s mind, however, God had simply cast His people away. Look at the language he uses.

Cast us off (38)

Abhorred us (38)

Made void the covenant (39)

Profaned the kings crown (39)

Broken down the hedges of Israel (40)

Brought the strongholds to ruin (40)

Because of military defeat Israel was in danger of complete ruin. The Psalmist blames all of this on the Lord. It was God’s fault only in the sense that He was not giving them the protection and strength they needed to defeat their enemies. But God had promised them discipline if they forsook Him. They could not expect his blessings if they lived in a sinful manner.

Their enemies seemed to be prospering:

They came into the cities and took the spoil at will. (41)

They spoke evil things against Israel (41).

They were strengthened (42)

The enemies of the king rejoiced at his defeat (42).

It seemed God had abandoned the king.

When he went to battle God was not with him (43).

He is no longer a man people admire. It’s as if his throne has been cast to the ground (44).

B. He questions God (46-51).

How long Lord? (46)

Will You hide Yourself forever? (46)

Will Your wrath continue to burn like fire? (46)

He interrupts the questions to remind God that he doesn’t have long to live. He was probably an old man when he wrote this Psalm. He wants to live long enough to see this trial pass. He feels as if his life will be in vain if the Lord doesn’t deliver the nation (47).

Then he continues with the questions:

What man can live and not see death (48)?

Who can deliver their soul from the grave (48)?

Where is your lovingkindness you promised (49)?

After the list of questions, he asks God to remember His people. He wants God to remember that they have become a reproach and that he and others are bearing a great level of shame from a strong enemy.

Look at the end of verse 51 “they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed”. It’s as if they are following the king around constantly insulting him. Israel and it’s king were a pitiful people and they needed God to help. The Psalmist wonders if He will.

C. He praises God (52).

We are grateful for verse 52. If not for it we might wonder whatever happened to the Psalmist. He expresses His faith in the final verse. He sounds like Job. Despite his suffering he says “Blessed be the Lord forever!” Spurgeon said of verse 52:

“He ends where he began; he has sailed round the world and reached port again.”

The Psalmist began singing the mercies of the Lord and he ends blessing the Lord. Listen friend, it is always appropriate to praise the Lord. No matter how difficult life becomes do not stop praising God. That is all the devil wants to accomplish in your life. He just wants you to look at your circumstances and conclude God is not worthy of your praise. In faith we have to look past the darkness to the light.

The covenant we have is with the Lord Jesus Christ. He has given us promises that are better than life itself. In this world we will have tribulation. The promises of our covenant with God through Christ should be held tightly. Whether life is beautiful or ugly remember the covenant you have with God through Jesus Christ.