Psalm 89/Overview/Introduction
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Choose a PsalmNavigate Psalm 89
Author
- Ethan the Ezrahite For details, see The Identity of Ethan the Ezrahite in Psalm89:1.
Book
- Book 3 of the Psalter (Chapters 73-89)
Purpose The Purpose was the psalmist's probable intent or reason for writing this psalm.
To celebrate YHWH's covenant with David (vv. 1–38) and to lament its seeming failure (vv. 39–53)
Content The Content is a concise summary of the whole psalm's content.
YHWH has made unconditional promises to David, to give him a kingdom that is supreme and unending (vv. 4-5, 20-38) and YHWH's promise to establish David's kingdom is firmly grounded in YHWH's own kingdom, which is supreme and unending (vv. 6-19). Therefore, YHWH's loyalty to David is sure to last forever (vv. 2-3)! But, somehow, YHWH's loyalty seems to have failed... (vv. 39-53).
Message The Message is the main idea the psalmist probably wanted the audience to remember upon or after hearing the psalm.
If YHWH's promises to David are unconditional, then why has David's kingdom fallen?