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Psalm 89 Matthew Henry's Commentary
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And faith in the boundless mercy and everlasting truth of God, may bring comfort even in the deepest trials.</div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-2.htm">Psalm 89:2</a></div><div class="verse">For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-3.htm">Psalm 89:3</a></div><div class="verse">I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-4.htm">Psalm 89:4</a></div><div class="verse">Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-5.htm">Psalm 89:5</a></div><div class="verse">And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.</div><div class="comm">89:5-14 The more God's works are known, the more they are admired. And to praise the Lord, is to acknowledge him to be such a one that there is none like him. Surely then we should feel and express reverence when we worship God. But how little of this appears in our congregations, and how much cause have we to humble ourselves on this account! That almighty power which smote Egypt, will scatter the enemies of the church, while all who trust in God's mercy will rejoice in his name; for mercy and truth direct all he does. His counsels from eternity, and their consequences to eternity, are all justice and judgment.</div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-6.htm">Psalm 89:6</a></div><div class="verse">For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? <i>who</i> among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-7.htm">Psalm 89:7</a></div><div class="verse">God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all <i>them that are</i> about him.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-8.htm">Psalm 89:8</a></div><div class="verse">O LORD God of hosts, who <i>is</i> a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-9.htm">Psalm 89:9</a></div><div class="verse">Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-10.htm">Psalm 89:10</a></div><div class="verse">Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-11.htm">Psalm 89:11</a></div><div class="verse">The heavens <i>are</i> thine, the earth also <i>is</i> thine: <i>as for</i> the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-12.htm">Psalm 89:12</a></div><div class="verse">The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-13.htm">Psalm 89:13</a></div><div class="verse">Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, <i>and</i> high is thy right hand.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-14.htm">Psalm 89:14</a></div><div class="verse">Justice and judgment <i>are</i> the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-15.htm">Psalm 89:15</a></div><div class="verse">Blessed <i>is</i> the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.</div><div class="comm">89:15-18 Happy are those who so know the joyful sound of the gospel as to obey it; who experience its power upon their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives. Though believers are nothing in themselves, yet having all in Christ Jesus, they may rejoice in his name. May the Lord enable us to do so. The joy of the Lord is the strength of his people; whereas unbelief dispirits ourselves and discourages others. Though it steals upon us under a semblance of humility, yet it is the very essence of pride. Christ is the Holy One of Israel; and in him was that peculiar people more blessed than in any other blessing.</div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-16.htm">Psalm 89:16</a></div><div class="verse">In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-17.htm">Psalm 89:17</a></div><div class="verse">For thou <i>art</i> the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-18.htm">Psalm 89:18</a></div><div class="verse">For the LORD <i>is</i> our defence; and the Holy One of Israel <i>is</i> our king.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-19.htm">Psalm 89:19</a></div><div class="verse">Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon <i>one that is</i> mighty; I have exalted <i>one</i> chosen out of the people.</div><div class="comm">89:19-37 The Lord anointed David with the holy oil, not only as an emblem of the graces and gifts he received, but as a type of Christ, the King Priest, and Prophet, anointed with the Holy Ghost without measure. David after his anointing, was persecuted, but none could gain advantage against him. Yet all this was a faint shadow of the Redeemer's sufferings, deliverance, glory, and authority, in whom alone these predictions and promises are fully brought to pass. He is the mighty God. This is the Redeemer appointed for us, who alone is able to complete the work of our salvation. Let us seek an interest in these blessings, by the witness of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. As the Lord corrected the posterity of David for their transgressions, so his people shall be corrected for their sins. Yet it is but a rod, not a sword; it is to correct, not to destroy. It is a rod in the hand of God, who is wise, and knows what he does; gracious, and will do what is best. It is a rod which they shall never feel, but when there is need. As the sun and moon remain in heaven, whatever changes there seem to be in them, and again appear in due season; so the covenant of grace made in Christ, whatever alteration seems to come to it, should not be questioned.</div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-20.htm">Psalm 89:20</a></div><div class="verse">I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-21.htm">Psalm 89:21</a></div><div class="verse">With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-22.htm">Psalm 89:22</a></div><div class="verse">The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-23.htm">Psalm 89:23</a></div><div class="verse">And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-24.htm">Psalm 89:24</a></div><div class="verse">But my faithfulness and my mercy <i>shall be</i> with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-25.htm">Psalm 89:25</a></div><div class="verse">I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-26.htm">Psalm 89:26</a></div><div class="verse">He shall cry unto me, Thou <i>art</i> my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-27.htm">Psalm 89:27</a></div><div class="verse">Also I will make him <i>my</i> firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-28.htm">Psalm 89:28</a></div><div class="verse">My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-29.htm">Psalm 89:29</a></div><div class="verse">His seed also will I make <i>to endure</i> for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-30.htm">Psalm 89:30</a></div><div class="verse">If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-31.htm">Psalm 89:31</a></div><div class="verse">If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-32.htm">Psalm 89:32</a></div><div class="verse">Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-33.htm">Psalm 89:33</a></div><div class="verse">Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-34.htm">Psalm 89:34</a></div><div class="verse">My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-35.htm">Psalm 89:35</a></div><div class="verse">Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-36.htm">Psalm 89:36</a></div><div class="verse">His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-37.htm">Psalm 89:37</a></div><div class="verse">It shall be established for ever as the moon, and <i>as</i> a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-38.htm">Psalm 89:38</a></div><div class="verse">But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.</div><div class="comm">89:38-52 Sometimes it is not easy to reconcile God's providences with his promises, yet we are sure that God's works fulfil his word. When the great Anointed One, Christ himself, was upon the cross, God seemed to have cast him off, yet did not make void his covenant, for that was established for ever. The honour of the house of David was lost. Thrones and crowns are often laid in the dust; but there is a crown of glory reserved for Christ's spiritual seed, which fadeth not away. From all this complaint learn what work sin makes with families, noble families, with families in which religion has appeared. They plead with God for mercy. God's unchangeableness and faithfulness assure us that He will not cast off those whom he has chosen and covenanted with. They were reproached for serving him. The scoffers of the latter days, in like manner, reproach the footsteps of the Messiah when they ask, Where is the promise of his coming? 2Pe 3:3,4. The records of the Lord's dealings with the family of David, show us his dealings with his church, and with believers. Their afflictions and distresses may be grievous, but he will not finally cast them off. Self-deceivers abuse this doctrine, and others by a careless walk bring themselves into darkness and distress; yet let the true believer rely on it for encouragement in the path of duty, and in bearing the cross. The psalm ends with praise, even after this sad complaint. Those who give God thanks for what he has done, may give him thanks for what he will do. God will follow those with his mercies, who follow him with praises.</div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-39.htm">Psalm 89:39</a></div><div class="verse">Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown <i>by casting it</i> to the ground.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-40.htm">Psalm 89:40</a></div><div class="verse">Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-41.htm">Psalm 89:41</a></div><div class="verse">All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-42.htm">Psalm 89:42</a></div><div class="verse">Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-43.htm">Psalm 89:43</a></div><div class="verse">Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-44.htm">Psalm 89:44</a></div><div class="verse">Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-45.htm">Psalm 89:45</a></div><div class="verse">The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-46.htm">Psalm 89:46</a></div><div class="verse">How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-47.htm">Psalm 89:47</a></div><div class="verse">Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-48.htm">Psalm 89:48</a></div><div class="verse">What man <i>is he that</i> liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-49.htm">Psalm 89:49</a></div><div class="verse">Lord, where <i>are</i> thy former lovingkindnesses, <i>which</i> thou swarest unto David in thy truth?</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-50.htm">Psalm 89:50</a></div><div class="verse">Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; <i>how</i> I do bear in my bosom <i>the reproach of</i> all the mighty people;</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-51.htm">Psalm 89:51</a></div><div class="verse">Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.</div><div class="comm"></div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/89-52.htm">Psalm 89:52</a></div><div class="verse">Blessed <i>be</i> the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.</div><div class="comm"></div></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../psalms/88.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 88"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 88" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../psalms/90.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 90"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 90" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/psalms/89-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><br /><br /></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <div id="bot"><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhpar.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></body></html>