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89
A maskil ·instructional wisdom psalm· by Ethan, the Ezrahite.
Context: Reflecting on God’s covenant with David [Beloved] and the Messiah son of David [Beloved], yet it appears to the Psalmist that God is not upholding the covenant. Can the son of David [Beloved] exist if David’s house is fallen? This Psalmist is mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31. (2 Sam 7:11-21; Lev 26:36-45; 1 King 11:1-13, 11:26-43, 12:16-19)
1 I will sing of the cheshed ·loving-kindness· of Adonai forever.
With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
2 I indeed declare, “Love stands firm forever.
You established the heavens.
Your faithfulness is in them.”
3 * MP: Messiah is descended from King David. (Matt 1:1; Rom 1:3) “I have made a covenant ·binding contract between two or more parties· with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David [Beloved], my servant,
4 ‘I will establish your offspring † Quoted in John 7:42 forever,
and build up your throne to all generations.’ ”
Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
5 The heavens will yadah ·extend hands in thankful praise· of your wonders, Adonai ;
your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies can be compared to Adonai ?
Who among the sons of the heavenly beings is like Adonai ,
7 a very awesome God in the council of the holy ones,
to be feared above all those who are around him?
8 Adonai , Elohim Tzva'ot [Yahweh, God Commander of heaven’s armies], who is a mighty one, like you?
Yah, your faithfulness is around you.
9 You rule the pride of the sea.
When its waves rise up, you calm them.
10 You have broken Rahab in pieces, like one of the slain.
You have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 The heavens are yours.
The earth also is yours;
the world and its fullness. ‡ Quoted in 1 Cor 10:26
You have founded them.
12 The north and the south, you have created them.
Tabor and Hermon [Devoted to destruction] rejoice in your name.
13 You have a mighty arm.
Your hand is strong, and your right hand is exalted.
14 Righteousness and mishpat ·justice· are the foundation of your throne.
Loving kindness and truth go before your face.
15 Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you.
They walk in the light of your presence, Adonai .
16 In your name they rejoice all day.
In your righteousness, they are exalted.
17 For you are the glory of their strength.
In your favor, our horn will be exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to Adonai ;
our king to the haKadosh Isra'el [the Holy One of God prevails].
19 Then you spoke in vision to your saints,
and said, “I have given strength to the warrior.
I have exalted a young man from the people.
20 I have found David [Beloved], § Quoted in Acts 13:22 with 1 Sam 13:14 my servant.
I have anointed him with my holy oil,
21 with whom my hand shall be established.
My arm will also strengthen him.
22 No enemy will tax him.
No wicked man will oppress him.
23 I will beat down his adversaries before him,
and strike those who hate him.
24 But my faithfulness and my cheshed ·loving-kindness· will be with him.
In my name, his horn will be exalted.
25 I will set his hand also on the sea,
and his right hand on the rivers.
26 He will call to me, ‘You are my Father,
my God, and the rock of my yishu'ah ·salvation·!’
27 I will also appoint him my firstborn,
the highest of the kings of the earth.
28 I will keep my cheshed ·loving-kindness· for him forever more.
My covenant ·binding contract between two or more parties· will stand firm with him.
29 * MP: Messiah establishes his eternal throne dynasty. (Luke 1:32-33; Rev 11:15) I will also make his offspring endure forever, † Quoted in John 12:34
and his throne as the days of heaven.
30 If his children forsake my Torah ·Teaching·,
and don’t walk in my judgments;
31 if they break my regulations,
and don’t keep my mitzvot ·instructions·;
32 then I will punish their sin with the rod,
and their iniquity with stripes.
33 But I will not completely take my cheshed ·loving-kindness· from him,
nor allow my faithfulness to fail.
34 I will not break my covenant ·binding contract between two or more parties·,
nor alter what my lips have uttered.
35 Once have I sworn by my holiness,
I will not lie to David [Beloved].
36 His offspring will endure forever,
his throne like the sun before me.
37 It will be established forever ‡ Quoted in John 12:34 like the moon,
the faithful witness in the sky.”
Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
38 But you have rejected and spurned.
You have been angry with your anointed.
39 You have renounced the covenant ·binding contract between two or more parties· of your servant.
You have defiled his crown in the dust.
40 You have broken down all his hedges.
You have brought his strongholds to ruin.
41 All who pass by the way rob him.
He has become a reproach to his neighbors.
42 You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries.
You have made all of his enemies rejoice.
43 Yes, you turn back the edge of his sword,
and haven’t supported him in battle.
44 You have ended his splendor,
and thrown his throne down to the ground.
45 You have shortened the days of his youth.
You have covered him with shame.
Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
46 How long, Adonai ?
Will you hide yourself forever?
Will your wrath burn like fire?
47 Remember how short my time is!
For what vanity have you created all the children of men!
48 What man is he who shall live and not see death,
who shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol ·Place of the dead·?
Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
49 Lord, where are your former cheshed ·loving-kindnesses·,
which you swore to David [Beloved] in your faithfulness?
50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servants,
how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the mighty peoples,
51 § MP: Messiah mocked and taunted. (Matt 9:34, 12:24) With which your enemies have mocked, Adonai ,
with which they have mocked the footsteps of your anointed one.
52 Blessed be Adonai forever more.
Amen v'Amen ·So be it and So be it·.

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*89:3 MP: Messiah is descended from King David. (Matt 1:1; Rom 1:3)

†89:4 Quoted in John 7:42

‡89:11 Quoted in 1 Cor 10:26

§89:20 Quoted in Acts 13:22 with 1 Sam 13:14

*89:29 MP: Messiah establishes his eternal throne dynasty. (Luke 1:32-33; Rev 11:15)

†89:29 Quoted in John 12:34

‡89:37 Quoted in John 12:34

§89:51 MP: Messiah mocked and taunted. (Matt 9:34, 12:24)

© 2016 Thomas Robinson