Psalm 89:3-4

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 89:3

I have made a covenant with my chosen ,.... Not with Abraham, as the Targum expresses it: but with David, as in the following clause; not David, literally understood, though he was chosen of the Lord to be his servant, and a covenant was made with him, and a promise made to him of the perpetuity of his throne and kingdom in his family, Psalm 78:70 but mystical David, the Messiah, David's son and antitype; after, on this account, called David in Scripture, Ezekiel 34:23 and who is the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 89:4

Thy seed will I establish for ever ,.... Meaning not the natural seed of David, at least not only them; whose family was indeed preserved, though in very low circumstances, until the Messiah came, who sprung from thence, Luke 1:27 , but the spiritual seed of Christ, to whom it was promised that he should have a seed, and should see and enjoy it, and which should endure for ever; see Psalm 89:29 , and so he always has had a seed to serve him in all generations, in the worst of times, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 89:3

I have made a covenant with my chosen - I have made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and renewed it with Moses and Joshua in reference to the Israelites in general: but I have made one with David in especial relation to himself and posterity, of whom, according to the flesh, the Christ is to come. And this is the covenant with David: - read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 89:4

Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations - And this covenant had most incontestably Jesus Christ in view. This is the seed, or posterity, that should sit on the throne, and reign for ever and ever. David and his family are long since become extinct; none of his race has sat on the Jewish throne for more than two thousand years: but the Christ has reigned invariably since that time, and will reign till all his enemies are put under his feet; and to this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 89:3

Verse 3 3I have made a covenant with my chosen. (524) The more effectually to confirm himself and all the godly in the faith of the Divine promise, he introduces God himself as speaking and sanctioning, by his authority, what had been said in the preceding verse. As faith ought to depend on the Divine promise, this manner of speaking, by which God is represented as coming forward and alluring us to himself by his own voice, is more forcible than if the prophet himself had simply stated the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 89:1-4

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 89:1-8

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 89:1-52

Psalms 89:52 is no part of the psalm, but the doxology which concludes the Book. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 89:1-52

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

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