Psalm 89 explained: A Promise That Seems Broken

A song about a promise (vv. 1-4)

The poet opens by praising God's love and faithfulness, and recalls God's sworn agreement with King David that his family would rule forever. This promise, first told in 2 Samuel 7, is the thread the whole psalm hangs on.

God has no equal (vv. 5-18)

The 'holy ones' are heavenly beings pictured as God's royal court, and Rahab was a sea monster standing for chaos, so the point is that no power above or below can match God. A 'horn' stood for strength, and the 'shield' most likely means Israel's human king, who the poet says belongs to God.

God chooses David (vv. 19-29)

God recalls choosing David and anointing him with oil, the sign of being set apart as king. Calling God 'Father' and being made 'firstborn' meant the king had the closest bond with God and the highest rank among kings; Christians later read this in light of Jesus, a descendant of David.

Punished but never cancelled (vv. 30-37)

If David's descendants break God's laws they will be punished, but the promise to the family will not be withdrawn. God swears it will last as long as the sun and moon in the sky.

The crown in the dust (vv. 38-45)

Now the poet accuses God of doing the opposite: the king is defeated, his cities are in ruins and his crown is thrown down. Scholars are unsure which disaster is meant, though many think of Babylon's capture of Jerusalem in the 500s BC.

How long? (vv. 46-52)

The poet asks how long God will stay hidden, points out that human life is short and everyone dies, and asks where the sworn love has gone. The psalm itself ends unresolved; the final line of praise probably closes the third of the five collections in the book of Psalms.

Key verse: Psalm 89:49

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether the psalm is mainly trust holding firm through disaster, with the opening praise setting the tone for the complaint, or an honest protest that God seems to have broken his word, deliberately left unresolved.

Something to think about

When a promise you trusted seems to have failed, what makes it worth saying so out loud rather than staying silent?