(1) Overview (same as yesterday)
(BKC) This royal psalm is a prayer that God would honor the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:5–16)...Faced with the perplexing problem of the affliction and defeat of the anointed Davidic king, the psalmist implored the Lord to remember His oath and end this disaster. Ethan sought to motivate the Lord to answer his prayer by rehearsing the covenant promises and the divine attributes on which they rest. So the psalm is a study in the age-old apparent conflict between the promises of a faithful, loving God, and the catastrophes that often occur.
89:30a If his sons reject my law...
89:32 I will punish their rebellion by beating them with a club,
their sin by inflicting them with bruises.
(2) Outline (more details for v.19-37)
(Kel Ps)
I. Acclamation: The psalmist vows to praise the LORD for his faithfulness and love in establishing the covenant with David (1–4).
II. Praise: The psalmist appeals to the LORD by praising his incomparable attributes and his marvelous works done for those who trust in him (5–18).
III. Motivation: The psalmist rehearses to the LORD all of the promises that he made to David in the covenant (19–37).
A. He reminds the LORD that David was chosen as the anointed servant (19–20).
B. He reminds the LORD what promises were made to David (21–25).
1. God’s strong arm would be with him always (21).
2. God would protect from and destroy the enemies (22–23).
3. God’s faithfulness would be with him and by his name exalt him with extensive power (24–25).
C. He reminds the LORD of the special relationship the king has with him (26–29).
1. The king calls him his Father and his God (26).
2. The LORD makes him his firstborn son (27).
3. The LORD makes firm the covenant with him, promising an eternal throne and seed (28–29).
D. He reminds the LORD that the covenant promises stand forever although some in the family may disobey (30–37).
1. The LORD had warned that if they disobeyed the rod would be brought upon them (30–32).
2. The LORD had sworn in truth never to end the covenant even if discipline was needed (33–37).
(3) Difficult or key verses:
a. 89:19 Then you spoke through a vision to your faithful followers and said:
“I have energized a warrior;
I have raised up a young man from the people.
(EBC) The Lord revealed through the prophet Nathan “in a vision” (v. 19; cf. 2 Sam 7:4) that he had chosen David to be his “servant,”
b. 89:29a I will give him an eternal dynasty...
I. Acclamation: The psalmist vows to praise the LORD for his faithfulness and love in establishing the covenant with David (1–4).
II. Praise: The psalmist appeals to the LORD by praising his incomparable attributes and his marvelous works done for those who trust in him (5–18).
III. Motivation: The psalmist rehearses to the LORD all of the promises that he made to David in the covenant (19–37).
A. He reminds the LORD that David was chosen as the anointed servant (19–20).
B. He reminds the LORD what promises were made to David (21–25).
1. God’s strong arm would be with him always (21).
2. God would protect from and destroy the enemies (22–23).
3. God’s faithfulness would be with him and by his name exalt him with extensive power (24–25).
C. He reminds the LORD of the special relationship the king has with him (26–29).
1. The king calls him his Father and his God (26).
2. The LORD makes him his firstborn son (27).
3. The LORD makes firm the covenant with him, promising an eternal throne and seed (28–29).
D. He reminds the LORD that the covenant promises stand forever although some in the family may disobey (30–37).
1. The LORD had warned that if they disobeyed the rod would be brought upon them (30–32).
2. The LORD had sworn in truth never to end the covenant even if discipline was needed (33–37).
(3) Difficult or key verses:
a. 89:19 Then you spoke through a vision to your faithful followers and said:
“I have energized a warrior;
I have raised up a young man from the people.
(EBC) The Lord revealed through the prophet Nathan “in a vision” (v. 19; cf. 2 Sam 7:4) that he had chosen David to be his “servant,”
b. 89:29a I will give him an eternal dynasty...
89:30a If his sons reject my law...
89:32 I will punish their rebellion by beating them with a club,
their sin by inflicting them with bruises.
(NET) sn Despite the harsh image of beating … with a club, the language reflects a father-son relationship (see v. 30; 2 Sam 7:14). According to Proverbs, a שֵׁבֶט (shevet, “club”) was sometimes utilized to administer corporal punishment to rebellious children (see Prov 13:24; 22:15; 23:13–14; 29:15).
God has promised an eternal relationship with the Davidic dynasty. They will have the highest status as the first born son, but individual kings may or may not be blessed by God. It depends if they obey Him or not.
89:33 But I will not remove my loyal love from him,
nor be unfaithful to my promise.
89:34 I will not break my covenant
or go back on what I promised.
89:35 Once and for all I have vowed by my own holiness,
I will never deceive David
nor be unfaithful to my promise.
89:34 I will not break my covenant
or go back on what I promised.
89:35 Once and for all I have vowed by my own holiness,
I will never deceive David
Yet, God would not revoked from His promise to the dynasty. Jesus, as the descendants of David would fulfill the promise and He will rule in the future kingdom.
Reflection: Discipline was a sign of parent-child relationship. If the parents do not love the child they will not discipline but give up the child. When we go through the disciplines by God we do not feel good about it (Heb 12:5-11), but we can hold on because we know that God's love to us has never changed.
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