Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ps 89:1-2 and following. Indeed, we find Ethan the Ezrachite, as well as Heman author of the previous psalm, among the sages that only Solomon surpassed (1 Kings 4:29-31). Both belonged to the family of Zerakh, sons of Judah. But their dispositions of mind are very different. While Heman spoke only of pits and dark places, of fury and anger, the words that come up again and again in the psalm of Ethan are those of goodness and fidelity. These divine characters are recalled and celebrated, as if to respond precisely to the anguish that filled the previous psalm. It is as if Ethan had written this “instruction” in order to revive his brother’s faith. Two believing friends have the privilege of encouraging each other to trust (Proverbs 27:17 and 1 Samuel 23:14-18). God is good; God is faithful: this is how we know Him, and our faith is attached to such a God, even if events sometimes seem to contradict this goodness and faithfulness (1 Cor 1:4-9; 1 Cor 10:11-14).
Verses 4 and 5 refer to the promises made to David and his descendants, that is, to Christ (2 Samuel 7:12-17). To confirm the promises they make to each other, men exchange signatures or pledges. But God, to guarantee the fulfillment of His own, gave His own Son. “As many promises there are from God, in Him (Christ) is the yes and in Him the amen” (2 Cor 1:19-22). Who could question the commitments made by such a Person? “I have placed help on a mighty man” (verse 20). Do we know this help, dear friends? Do we sometimes appeal to this “mighty man”? He is always ready to deploy His power on behalf of those He condescends to call His brethren. If He became man, it was in order to save them, but also to be able to sympathize with their human infirmities (Hebrews 2:14-18; Hb 4.14-16). All of God’s love for the true David is discernible in the expressions He uses to speak of Him: He is His saint, His chosen one (verses 4-6, 20), the servant He found, whom He anointed. Christ alone can be called “the highest of the kings of the earth” (verse 28). Christians have the privilege of already knowing Him and eagerly awaiting His appearance (2 Tim 4:1-8).
The promise made to David in 2 Samuel 7:12-17, and recalled in our verses 4-30, was complemented by one condition: If his descendants committed iniquity, God would not fail to punish them (verses 31-33). But we know the sad story of this kingship of Judah and our verses 39 et seq. show us that, as far as chastisement is concerned, God kept his word. All of Israel’s trials, including the tribulation that still awaits it, are the consequence of this infidelity. The worst pain for believers is the shame and opprobrium that reflects on their God (verses 42, 46, 51, 52). “Until when…?” (verse 47); how many times we have heard this anguished question in the psalms (e.g. Ps 74:10; Ps 7.9-11; Ps 79.4-5; Ps 80.1-8). Time seems long when one suffers (Job 7:1-6). In response to this cry, Jehovah will make His judgment “an abridged matter on earth” (Rom 9:27-29 and Mark 13:14-20). For punishment is not his last word. Isaiah 28:21-22 calls him “his strange work, his work inhearing.” Looking at the circumstances we often have worry, but as we think of the Lord and His faithful love, we will never lose heart.
This psalm is the language of a faithful Jew, either once in Babylon or among the remnant of the last days, who adds faith to the promise made to David, but grieves in anticipation of its fulfillment. Jesus our Lord is here the true David of whom the psalm speaks (2 Sam 7:14 and Heb 1:5; Ps. 132:11 and Acts 2:30; Isa 55:3 and Acts 13:34). The assurance that everything will be fine in the end and forever is expressed forcefully. The goodness of Jehovah is “forever”—goodness is built “forever”—David’s seed is established “forever,” etc. Such is the trust and joy of the soul in the graces promised and sworn to David, his throne and his people. Despite all appearances, it is a certainty to the believer that “the gifts of grace and the call of God are unrepentant” (Rom 11:29). And we know that Christ’s resurrection made David’s graces “assured.” The following can serve as a brief introduction to this psalm: The faithful Jew rejoices in Jehovah’s covenant with David, recalling it briefly in verses 3-4. And this presentation is very rich and very valuable; it forms precisely “the assured graces of David,” the foundation of every blessing for Israel. This paragraph presents the contrast between the blessing, promised and sworn to the house of David and his kingdom, and their present affliction. And we can notice that the condition laid down in the covenant gives the reason for this affliction; however, in accordance with his thoughts of the moment, the faithful Jew does not allude to it. The “opprobrium” that covers “the footsteps of anointed tone” seems to relate to the mockers, who question the Lord’s return (Ml 2:17; 2 P 3:4).
For this psalm offers us the harmony of mercy and fidelity. Precious insurance for the poor sinner! As it is written, “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9). For our graces are graces provided by a covenant – sworn, promised, guaranteed, sealed with the seal of God, and in a supreme sense, purchased graces. Precious insurance! And we can therefore say that discipline is not a sign of oblivion, but a sign of interest: Because of transgression, the throne of David is for a time in the dust, but it is not forgotten. The enemy covers him with opprobrium because of the state in which he is. He speaks proudly of the steps (v. 52), of the delays, of the slowness of the Anointed of the Lord. They say, “Where is the promise of his coming?” But God’s gifts of grace and call are unrepentant. The covenant is as firm and new in the memory of God as it was in the days of David himself: the Lord will appear for the joy of Israel, and his enemies will be confused. Let every believer in trial know that discipline does not mean forgetting, but remembrance. Delay does not mean forgetfulness either. “He who comes will come”… “The Lord does not delay in the promise, as some feel that there is delay.”
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Where are the promises made to David? :
· Glorifying God, Examples
Isaiah 6:3 They cried out to each other, and said: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! all the earth is full of his glory! Mt 15:31 so that the crowd was in awe that the dumb were speaking, that the crippled were healed, that the lame walked, that the blind saw; and it glorified the God of Israel. Acts 4:21 They made new threats to them, and released them, not knowing how to punish them, because of the people, because all glorified God for what had happened. Rev 4:11 You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power; for you have created all things, and it is by your will that they exist and were created.
· Faithfulness of God
Ps 36:6 Eternal, your goodness reaches to heaven, Your faithfulness to the clouds. Ps 89:2 I will always sing the goodness of the Lord; My mouth will make your faithfulness known forever. Ps 105:8 He always remembers His covenant, His promises for a thousand generations, 1 Pet 4:19 Thus, that those who suffer according to God’s will surrender their souls to the faithful Creator, doing what is right.
· Wonders of God
Ex 4:21 Jehovah said to Moses, “As you go back to Egypt, see all the wonders I put in your hand: you will do them before Pharaoh. And I will harden his heart, and he will not let the people go. Joshua 3:5 Said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow jehovah will do wonders in your midst. Ps 77:15 You are the God who does wonders; You have manifested among the people your power. Acts 6:8 Stephen, full of grace and power, performed wonders and great miracles among the people.
· Instruments of judgment used against sinful nations
Jg 3:12 The children of Israel again did what displeased Jehovah; and Jehovah fortified Eglon, king of Moab, against Israel, because they had done what displeased Jehovah. Isa 7:18 On that day, the Lord will whistle the flies that are at the end of the canals of Egypt, and the bees that are in the land of Assyria; Jer 5:15 Behold, I am bringing from afar a nation against you, house of Israel, said the Lord; It is a strong nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know, and whose words you will not understand. Luke 19:43 Days will come upon you when your enemies will surround you with trenches, lock you up, and squeeze you from all sides;
From all of the above, we note that the subject of Psalm 89 is the goodness of jehovah (his gratuitousness to Israel) and their immutability, the assured gratuities (Isaiah 55:3). There is faith to say “forever,” for it is grace; and so the request that we have pointed out elsewhere, rises to God: “Until when?” Would it be otherwise and in appearance even forever? Jehovah was faithful; for the faithful had said in faith: gratuitousness, goodness “shall be built up forever; in heaven itself thou shalt establish thy faithfulness,” where nothing could harm him. It will be so, Satan being rushed from heaven: this is the very description of the millennium. Nevertheless, the Spirit of Christ enters into this position of residue, as he did for anger, in order to take upon himself the whole reality of their burden. Naturally, on that day, he will not experience any suffering; but he anticipated this day of suffering, so that his Spirit might be expressed in his people as with his own voice; for the opprobrium that comes from the powerful and apostates, on this day, will defame the acts of God’s Anointed. And if the faithful walk in these footsteps, they will share in the opprobrium coming from the enemies of Jehovah. This is then the position of the faithful: they walk in the paths of the Lord, they await the blessings of the covenant with Israel, feeling the wrath under which they find themselves; in faith nevertheless, but looking to God’s promise of gratuitousness to David (1 Sam. 4:21), and waiting for the answer. This Psalm concludes the third book of the Psaumes. According to His same promise, God will make His people enjoy His goodness forever, in Christ, the Son of David. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “the faithful call all the inhabitants of the earth to serve the Lord.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.