Psalm 89/Overview/Background

• A covenant is "an enduring agreement which defines a relationship between two parties involving a solemn, binding obligation(s) specified on the part of at least one of the parties toward the other, made by oath under threat of divine curse...." Covenant relationships are based on loyalty and reliability.
• YHWH made a covenant with David, promising to establish his kingdom and give him an unending dynasty: "The Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever" (2 Sam 7:11–16, ESV)
• YHWH also made an eternal, unconditional covenant with creation, promising that day and night (and, therefore, sun and moon) would never cease (see Gen 8:21–22). The same loyalty and reliability that uphold YHWH's covenant with creation also uphold YHWH's covenant with David. Therefore, "If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night will not come at their appointed time, then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne" (Jer 33:20–21, ESV).