INTRODUCTION: Read Psalm 89, 2 Samuel 7:1-29
This COVENANT PSALM , a musical maskil, written by Ethan the Ezrahite, celebrates David's glorious reign and the COVENANT PROMISE given to him by the Lord. Was David's reign successful only because of this promise? It certainly helped - for David trusted in the sustainable LOVE and FAITHFULNESS OF HIS FATHER GOD.
When this Psalm was first written, it would have been performed with music and dancing, and some movement like the raising of hands in worship. Maskils were also written for instruction and meditation in the tabernacle and temple, and would have been performed as a form of teaching.
"The Psalmists were composing for the human voice to be heard at a Public Event." Steve Turner.
Like our world today, it was probably written in a time of conflict and unknown, possibly the time of Rehoboam's reign, and Ethan may have been an old man. Troubles were coming thick and heavy upon David's kingdom and in the Land of Judah. Ethan and the Israelites were fearful and anxious, but they discovered, through trusting God, that they could have VICTORY THROUGH DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, they could overcome conflict and that GOD WAS THE OVERALL OMNIPOTENT LORD.
Ethan begins by affirming his faith in God and His covenant with David and his family. He praises and magnifies the Lord for His love, faithfulness, mercy and justice towards his people. This leads to a song of joy for the people "who have such a God to be their glory and defence." (Charles Spurgeon)
We then read in full length the terms of GOD'S COVENANT FOR DAVID, which is followed by a mournful complaint and petition to a God whom Ethan trusted. He closes the Psalm with a hearty praise filled benediction and a double "Amen"!
"Ethan, the Psalmist was a visionary, who could "hear the waters and see the heavens rejoicing". Yet this Psalm was not always "jolly". He is brutal and honest, "frank about the days it seems God has switched off the phone." (Steve Turner)
GOD'S LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS - Read Psalm 89:1-4; 2 Samuel 7:1-29
What makes a parent's love so great? Picture a mother singing and caressing her child. It doesn't matter how long they cry and what they do when they grow up, children will always have the love of his/her parents.
Some writers compare a parent's love to that of God's, but the fact is, "no parent is as crazy about their children as God is"; and no one loves them like God does. GOD'S LOVE IS THE PUREST AND DEEPEST LOVE THERE IS.
"Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? Even if this is possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem's walls in ruins." Isaiah 59:15&16 (NLT)
God promises to be LOYAL AND FAITHFUL - the centre of his covenant with David. David had mucked up and made some stupid mistakes, but God was merciful - HE FORGAVE HIM.
God did the same for us. He sent His only Son to die on the cross, so that we could have FORGIVENESS. We may not be kings, we are just his simple children; but we, like David, have been redeemed from our stupid mistakes (our sins). And God never gives up on us. We too can praise Him for His never ending love and faithfulness.
"Whatever we may experience in our lives, we should still PRAISE GOD for HIS MERCIES, LOVE and FAITHFULNESS. These will most certainly never change, whether we perceive them or not."
Charles Spurgeon
"I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations." Psalm 89:1 (NIV)
"In times of trouble we trust in God's faithfulness - it is oiur anchor and it holds fast - it is our stay."
Psalm 57:1 (NLT)
Sometimes when hard times come we are apt to forget or doubt God's promises, but then we may hear testimonies from His people who have experienced trials even greater than ours, and have come through them; and our faith is encouraged.
David was the Lord's elect and through God's covenant He would recieve a "never ending fulfillment through Jesus Christ, the great King of the Jews". This COVENANT OF GRACE was for all God's children and for Ethan, the Psalmist, it was the "solid ground" of his faith.
"For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your ancestors, your own offspring, and I will make His Kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house - a Temple - for my name. And I will secure His throne forever. I will be his father, and I will be His son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. But My favour will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever."
2 Samuel 7:12-16 (NLT)
Truly in Jesus we too have the fulfillment of hope. David's dynasty would never decay, for we now know that Jesus has come to reign over God's people forever. He is loving, faithful and omnipotent, He sits on His Father's throne and supplies all our needs.
"In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.......The One who is the True Light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world He created, but the world didn't recognize Him. He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God.....So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's One and Only Son." John 1:1,2,9-12,14 (NLT)
PRAISE AND MAGNIFYING THE LORD - Read Psalm 89:5-14
"Looking down at what God had done with His COVENANT OF GRACE, the Heavens were filled with adoring wonder." Charles Spurgeon
When Jesus, the "Son of David" was born "the heavens broke forth with music", and the saints came together to worship Him in the worship, to "magnify the faithfulness of God."
"That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid", he said, "I bring you Good News that will bring great joy to all people". The Saviour - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snuggly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast of others - the armies of Heaven - praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest Heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." Luke 2:8-14 (NLT)
"At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. That day the Lord led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in His arms and praised God, saying, "Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as You have promised, which You have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of all the people Israel."
Luke 2:25-29, 31&32 (NLT)
Who in Heaven can be compared with our Lord. Jesus, both as God and man, was far beyond the angels. Today, He too is to be devoutly worshipped. What a challenge for us! Ethan dwelt on God's greatness, His faithfulness, mercy, love, righteousness and justice. To Him, God our Father, was GOD ALONE!
How reverent should our worship be? The more we dwell in the presence of God and His Son Jesus, the more we need to adore Him. God's children need to earnestly pray:
"Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name;
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven."
Matthew 6:9&19 (NIV)
OMNIPOTENT GOD
God's strength is shown in how He overthrew Egypt and Israel's other enemies. He scattered them with His strong arm, The skill and strength of men was expressed in their arms and hands, particularly their right hand. God used this metaphor to describe God's might in creation.
"Your arm is endowed with POWER; your hand is STRONG, your right hand EXALTED." Psalm 89:13
The name RAHAB means PROUD ONE, and in Canaanite mythology, Rahab, the sea monster, was killed at creation. In the Middle East there are many legends of gods who were fought during creation. Ethan probably used these stories to draw attention to the TRUE, OMNIPOTENT GOD.
"By His power He churned up the sea; by His wisdom He cut Rahab to pieces. By His breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent." Job 26:12&13 (NIV)
GOD - THE CREATOR
God is not only the CREATOR OF ALL HEAVENS AND EARTH, and all that is on them, but He is the SUSTAINER, BUILDER AND UPHOLDER of them all. God is the sole creator of the Universe; everything in the Universe owes its existance to God's sovereign will.
"The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it."
Psalm 89:11
Satan is represented by a serpent or a dragon, and the sea as a dangerous place. RAHAB - the sea serpent was another manifestation of him. God killed the serpent and brought order to the world through creation.
"In the beginning GOD CREATED the Heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light", and there was light." Genesis 1:1-3 (NIV)
"For IN HIM all things were CREATED, things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities; all things have been CREATED through Him and for Him" Colossians 1:16 (NIV)
Turn all points of the compass - North, South, East and West - and God will be there. The "regions of the snow" and "the gardens in the sun"; "the land of the dawning" and the "home of the setting sun." Charles Spurgeon
OUR RIGHTEOUS AND JUST GOD
We have a God who is RIGHTEOUS AND JUST. If this were not so we would still be living in a life of sin and guilt. Jesus, God's Son reigns because of His righteousness and justice.
"RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before You." Psalm 89:14
GOD'S FAITHFULNESS, MERCY AND LOVE
Ethan was often repetitive with his examples of God's FAITHFULNESS, MERCY AND LOVE. But it is "great refreshment" to "gracious hearts" , so we cannot dwell on them too much. Thoughts of His COVENANT GRACE should never leave us. The "more we draw close to Him, the more we see His glories", and the more we will humbly worship.
"As a mother humbly calms her baby, so the Lord calms the fury of the sea, the anger of men and women, the tempest of adversity and the rage of hell. We delight in His great love, and in this we have our ultimate salvation." Charles Spurgeon
Before we come to God with our complaints and arguments, like Ethan does later in this Psalm, we need to acknowledge that He is indeed a "GOOD GOD". If we keep hold of these truths, we "can have peace in our days of trouble."
Ethan, like many other Psalm writers are inspired to worship when they consider God's GREATNESS, HIS CREATION, RIGHTEOUSNESS, JUSTICE, FAITHFULNESS, MERCY AND LOVE. We too should have this same inspiration as we marvel at the extravagance and care of our God.
"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?"
Psalm 8:3&4 (NIV)
GOD'S GLORY AND DEFENSE - Read Psalm 89:15-18
God gave David and Ethan many blessings, for they were both "men after His own heart." Those of us who have experienced God's LOVE, MERCY, JUSTICE AND STRENGTH are indeed blessed too.
WE ENJOY GOD'S FAVOUR AND FELLOWSHIP
The Lord is "all sufficient" and we will continue in communion with Him.
"The covenant promises are precious and those who understand their meaningand recognize their own personal interest in them are highly favoured." Charles Spurgeon
THEY REJOICE ALL DAY LONG
When we have a personal relationship with the Lord, we know "His person, His name, His character". It is in this relationship that we can find our "source of joy."
"Blessed are those who walk in the light of your PRESENCE. They rejoice in Your Name all day long; they celebrate Your righteousness." Psalm 89:15&16 (NIV)
THEY FIND STRENGTH IN GOD
No man who finds strength in God can give glory to himself. All honour belongs to God Himself. God is "holiness", and it is in the "Holy One" that we find ths strongest foundation for our faith.
A creature full of strength and courage lifts up his "horn". The horn in Eastern culture was an ornament that was worn by people who were confident and in good spirits. We don't need to wear such "vanities", for our strength is found in the love and encouragement of Christ Himself.
"You are our glory and strength and by Your favour, You exalt our horn." Psalm 89:17
THEY FIND HIS PROTECTION
The Lord is our protector and shield. As David was the "shield" of his nation, so the God of Israel is our ruler and defence.
"But You, O Lord, art a shield around me; You are my glory, the One who lifts my head high."
Psalm 3:3 (NLT)
"The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise Him." Psalm 28:7 (NLT)
THEY SHARE IN GOD'S COVENANT OF GRACE
God doesn't break His promises or act unjustly, particularly when it comes to making a covenant with His people. We have this same GRACE to claim because God made this covenant for us too. This grace was made perfect in Jesus Christ.
"For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance - now that He died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." Hebrews 9:15 (NIV)
GOD'S COVENANT WITH DAVID - Read Psalm 89:19-37; 2 Samuel 7
In this part of Psalm 89, Ethan retells the COVENANT PROMISE that God had given David, regarding his family and his Kingdom. His Kingdom would be like no other, and David would be a great leader. He would have a place of security and his son Solomon would sit on the throne after him and would build the Temple David had wanted to build himself.
"Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before Me; your throne will be established forever." 2 Samuel 7:16 (NIV)
God honoured the intention of David's heart. Clearly God had a plan for him that surpassed anything that David could see. It seemed wrong to David that he should live in a palace, when the Ark, which represented God's presence, was still in a tent.
The Ark had been taken by the Philistines many years before to try and prevent their plagues, and even though it had now been returned to Jerusalem, David was afraid that his people may have forgotten why it was important for them. David brought it back so it could again stand as a symbol of GOD'S ACTIVE PRESENCE in their lives, in the centre of their city. David wanted to lead his people in worship.
But David was a great soldier and he still had enemies to defeat. They would need the "travelling tent". David also needed to learn that "sometimes the purposes of God cut across the desires of our hearts." (Iain Campbell.)
"But that night the Word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying: "Go and tell my servant David, "This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from place to place with my a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved, with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar". 2 Samuel 7:4-7 (NIV)
"David, this life is not about DOING FOR ME, it's about RECEIVING FROM ME."
Nancy Guthrie.
David was a king like no other, humble and faithful to God. Yes, he made mistakes, but that is why God was giving him this GRACE COVENANT. From God's promise to David sprang the hope of our Messiah - Jesus, who sits on the eternal throne in Heaven. The promise was fulfilled in Jesus who came from David's lineage and will reign forever.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. From the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over His Kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Almighty will accomplish this." Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet - "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel (which means "God with us") Matthew 1:22&23
We can be sure, just as David and Ethan were, that God is a faithful God and He keeps His promises. His purposes and plans are greater than ours!
COMPLAINT AND PETITION - Read Psalm 89:38-51
We don't know exactly when this Psalm was written, but we do know that it was probably when Ethan was old and near death. Also, it was in a time when God was angry with his people, for disobeying Him, and ceasing their worship, long after the reign of David. Ethan asked these questions:
"How long Lord? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire? Remember how fleeting is my life. For what futility you have created all humanity! Who can live and not see death or who can escape the power of the grave? Lord, where is your former great love, which in your faithfulness you swore to David?" Psalm 89:46-49
Ethan was feeling let down, but he had lived with God as his provider for many years, so even though he was a little disallusioned, he still held on to his hope. He still believed that God would be faithful and loving to the end. Ethan still made an honest plea with God and prayed for mercy.
We too can take hope in disapointment and conflict. Things may not change, but GOD IS STILL OUR PROVIDER. God still watches over us, even when we are not looking. WHEN GOD GUIDES, HE PROVIDES, and the COVENANT OF GRACE which in now fulfilled in Jesus Christ is true for us today.
A CONCLUSION OF PRAISE - Read Psalm 89:52
Ethan finished this Psalm with a declaration of confident, heart felt PRAISE. He was a man who knew and trusted God's promises and with this doxology invited the people of God to join with in praise. "Amen and Amen". He still invites us to join him today!
"He ends where he began. He sailed around the world and reached port again. Let us bless God before we pray, while we pray and when we have done praying, for He always deserves it from us."
Charles Spurgeon.
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Spurgeon, Charles, "The Treasury of David - Commentary on Psalms" (1885) (2021), Christianity.com
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