For I have said ,.... That is, in his heart he had said, he had thought of it, was assured of it, strongly concluded it, from the Spirit and word of God; he believed it, and therefore he spoke it; having it from the Lord, it was all one as if he had spoke it: read more
Mercy shall be built up for ever - God's goodness is the foundation on which his mercy rests; and from that source, and on that foundation, acts of mercy shall flow and be built up for ever and ever. Thy faithfulness shalt thou establish - What thou hast promised to do to the children of men on earth, thou dost register in heaven, and thy promise shall never fail. read more
Verse 2 2For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever. He assigns the reason why he perseveres in singing the Divine praises in the midst of adversities; which is, that he does not despair of the manifestation of God’s loving-kindness towards his people, although at present they were under severe chastisement. Never will a man freely open his mouth to praise God, unless he is fully persuaded that God, even when he is angry with his people, never lays aside his fatherly affection towards... read more
are introductory to the first section ( Psalms 89:1-37 ). They strike the keynote, which is, first, praise of God's faithfulness generally ( Psalms 89:1 , Psalms 89:2 ), and secondly, praise of him in respect of the Davidical covenant ( Psalms 89:3 , Psalms 89:4 ). read more
God's faithfulness. This is the keynote of the psalm, the beautiful strain which is heard over and over again in varied forms throughout. There are pieces of music in which some one sweet air recurs repeatedly, now as if amid the rush and roar of a tempest, anon, when the music has sunk down into quietness; you hear it now loud, now soft, now stirring in sonorous strains, now soothing in plaintive gentle tones; but it is the same air still. And the blessed thought of the faithfulness of... read more
Psalms 89:52 is no part of the psalm, but the doxology which concludes the Book. read more
The general subject— God's promise to David and his seed but the present state of things is a bitter contrast to the promise, and a prayer that God would remove the contrast. Suggests— I. THAT GOD HAS ENTERED INTO A GRAND COVENANT WITH MANKIND . Given us the greatest and most precious promises. 1 . Promises that relate to our highest nature. "I will be a Father to them, and ye shall be my sons and daughters." 2 . That relate to our greatest calamity. ... read more
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up forever. A time shall come when, out of whatever ruins, mercy shall be "built up"—raised from the ground like a solid edifice, and, when once raised up, shall stand firm forever. Thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. At the same time, God's faithfulness to his promises will be established "in the very heavens," i.e. conspicuously (see Psalms 89:37 ). read more
Mercy built up forever. The psalmist seems to have before his mind the picture of some glorious palace, whose foundation, laid broad and deep and strong, was now uprising in majesty and beauty before him. He seems to see it rising tier on tier, and course on course, and as he beholds it being gradually and gloriously up built, his adoration and Praise burst forth, and he exclaims, "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever." What did he mean? Probably the remembrance of God's mercy to... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 89:1-4
The psalmist has a very sad complaint to make of the deplorable condition of the family of David at this time, and yet he begins the psalm with songs of praise; for we must, in every thing, in every state, give thanks; thus we must glorify the Lord in the fire. We think, when we are in trouble, that we get ease by complaining; but we do more?we get joy, by praising. Let our complaints therefore be turned into thanksgivings; and in these verses we find that which will be matter of praise and... read more