AN EVERLASTING THRONE
Psalm 89:27-37.
There is a tension in this Psalm, between the LORD’s promise of an everlasting dynasty for the line of David (Psalm 89:3-4; Psalm 89:28), and the complaint of the Psalmist (Psalm 89:38). However, the LORD’s “Nevertheless” (Psalm 89:33) trumps the complainant’s “But” (Psalm 89:38). The chastening of the LORD is given little mention (Psalm 89:30-32) when compared with the number of times, and ways, in which the LORD reasserts the permanency of the promise.
Psalm 89:27. “I will make him (my) firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.” Thus was David, the youngest son of Jesse, exalted to an unexpected place and privilege. It anticipates Jesus: Mary’s firstborn son (Matthew 1:25); ‘the firstborn from the dead’ (Revelation 1:5); ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’ (Revelation 19:16).
Psalm 89:28a. My mercy - “FOR EVERMORE.” Think of the number of times when the line of David was almost completely exterminated (e.g. 2 Kings 11:1-2). Yet it was not to be, and even through the exile the royal line survived (cf. Matthew 1:16-17).
Psalm 89:28b. “My covenant shall STAND FAST with him.” With David, yes - but ultimately with Jesus, whose blood seals for us the new covenant (Matthew 26:28). Covenant mercy flows to us from Jesus, the anointed One.
Psalm 89:29. His seed - “FOR EVER”; his throne “AS THE DAYS OF HEAVEN.” Jesus is the seed of David, ruling in heaven Psalm 110:1). And we who are ‘in Christ’ (Ephesians 1:4) rule with Him (Ephesians 2:6).
So what are we to make of Psalm 89:30-32? It is straightforward enough: royal privilege also carries with it a responsibility towards the LORD, and IF David’s sons fail in this, they will be disciplined (cf. Hebrews 12:6). Again and again this happened, and at last resulted in the Exile.
Psalm 89:33. What a relief, then, to hear the LORD’s “NEVERTHELESS my loving kindness (my hesed, my covenant love) will I NOT UTTERLY take from him, NOR SUFFER my faithfulness to fail.” The LORD reaffirms His own “faithfulness” (cf. Psalm 89:24) towards David in not annihilating his seed.
Psalm 89:34. So, despite their having broken His covenant, the LORD will not repay in kind: “MY COVENANT WILL I NOT BREAK, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” (cf. Numbers 23:19).
Psalm 89:35. “Once I have sworn by my holiness that I WILL NOT LIE TO DAVID.” We read elsewhere that when God makes a promise, because He can swear by no greater, He swears by Himself (Hebrews 6:13). Because He does this, we must surely know that there is no doubt about the matter.
Psalm 89:36-37. “His seed shall endure FOR EVER, and his throne AS THE SUN BEFORE ME. It shall be established AS THE MOON, and (as) A FAITHFUL WITNESS IN HEAVEN.” David’s line continues in Jesus, and in Jesus’ people (Isaiah 8:18; 2 Timothy 2:12).
As for the tension, it is resolved when we consider Jesus, the singular Seed who was yet to come: the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15); the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16); and the seed of David (Romans 1:3).
Benediction: Psalm 72:17-19.
(Scottish metrical version):
17. His name for ever shall endure;
last like the sun it shall:
Men shall be blessed in him, and blessed
all nations shall him call.
18. Now blessèd be the Lord our God,
the God of Israel,
For he alone doth wondrous works,
in glory that excel.
19. And blessèd be his glorious name
to all eternity:
The whole earth let his glory fill.
Amen, so let it be.
