PSALM 89: Theology of the Reality

Psalm 89:

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints,

and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

vs.7

"Like Psalm 73, which opens the third book of the psalms, this psalm also struggles with a universal problem among believers. Whereas Psalm 73 dealt with the prosperity of the wicked, Psalm 89 wrestles with the faithfulness of God to His promises.

The psalm describes the author’s attempt to reconcile the seeming contradictions between his theology and the reality of his nation’s conditions. 

I.          God’s Manifest Faithfulness to the Davidic Covenant (89:1-37).

A.  God’s Covenant Love (89:1-4);

For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. vs.3

B.   God’s Praiseworthiness (89:5-18);

And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. vs.5

C.   God’s Covenant with David (89:19-37).

His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. vs.36

II.         God’s Apparent Neglect of the Davidic Covenant (89:38-52).

A.  The Psalmist’s Lament (89:38-45);

Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground. vs.39

B.   The Psalmist’s Consternation (89:46-51);

Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain? vs.47

C.   The Doxology (89:52).

Blessed be the LORD for evermore. vs.52

Title: “Ethan the Ezrahite”: Possibly the Levitical singer mentioned in (1 Chron. 6:42 and 15:17, 19)."

BooksOfTheBible

Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound:

they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.

vs.15