Psalms 89:3

89:1-4 Though our expectations may be disappointed, yet God's promises are established in the heavens, in his eternal counsels; they are out of the reach of opposers in hell and earth. And faith in the boundless mercy and everlasting truth of God, may bring comfort even in the deepest trials.

Not with Abraham, as the Targum expresses it: but with David, as in the following clause; not David, literally understood, though he was chosen of the Lord to be his servant, and a covenant was made with him, and a promise made to him of the perpetuity of his throne and kingdom in his family, Psalm 78:70 but mystical David, the Messiah, David's son and antitype; after, on this account, called David in Scripture, Ezekiel 34:23 and who is the Lord's "chosen" One, foreordained to be the Redeemer of lost sinners, chosen to be the Mediator between God and them, to be the head of the church, and Saviour of the body; and his human nature was chosen to the grace of union to the Son of God, Psalm 89:19 , hence he is called God's elect, Isaiah 43:1 and with him the covenant of grace was made from all eternity, and all the blessings and promises of it were put into his hands; he is the Mediator, surety, and messenger of it, and by his blood it is ratified and confirmed: the Septuagint render it, in the plural number, "with mine elect ones"; and it is a truth, that the covenant of grace is made with all the elect, considered in Christ, and is made with them as such, and not as believers, converted persons, &c. election is the foundation of the covenant, and the source of all covenant blessings: I have sworn unto David my servant: to the Messiah, called David, as before observed, and who is the Lord's servant, as man and Mediator, of his choosing, calling, sending, and supporting, Isaiah

Psalm 89:3-5 . I have made a covenant with my chosen — With David, whom I have chosen to the kingdom. Thy seed will I establish for ever, &c. — I will perpetuate the kingdom to thy posterity; which was promised upon condition, and was literally accomplished in Christ, who was of the seed of David. And the heavens shall praise thy wonders — That is, the inhabitants of heaven, the holy angels, who clearly discern and constantly adore thy mercy and faithfulness; when men upon earth are filled with doubts and perplexities about it. Thy faithfulness also — Understand, shall be praised; (which supplements are usual in Scripture;) in the congregation of the saints — Either, 1st, Of thy saints on earth in their public assemblies; who always acknowledge and celebrate thy truth, though they cannot always discern the footsteps of it: or, rather, 2d, Of the angels in heaven, of whom he speaks in the foregoing clause; and who are often called saints, or holy ones.

Verse 3. - I have made a covenant with my chosen. There is an ellipse of "for thou hast said," which Professor Cheyne supplies. God's promise to David is the entire foundation of the psalmist's hope and confidence. He therefore places it briefly in the very forefront - afterwards expanding it into the beautiful passage, which forms more than one-third of the entire composition (vers. 19-37). I have sworn unto David my servant (comp. 2 Samuel 7:11-16 ; Psalm 132:11 ). Psalm 89:3

3, 4 . These verses contain the sum of the promise to David and his seed ( 2 Samuel 7:5 ff.) which is expanded in Psalm 89:19 ff. It is in relation to this promise in particular that the poet intends to sing of God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness. Almost every word is taken from the narrative of 2 Samuel 7. For ‘David my servant’ see Psalm 89:5; Psalm 89:8; Psalm 89:26 , and cp. Psalm 89:19-21; Psalm 89:25; Psalm 89:27-29 : for ‘establish’ see Psalm 89:12-13; Psalm 89:16; Psalm 89:26 : for ‘for ever’ see Psalm 89:13; Psalm 89:16; Psalm 89:24; Psalm 89:26; Psalm 89:29 : for ‘seed’ and ‘throne’ see Psalm 89:12-13; Psalm 89:16 : for ‘build’ see Psalm 89:27 . ‘Chosen’ represents Psalm 89:8 (cp. Psalm 78:70 f.). ‘Covenant’ however does not belong to the phraseology of 2 Samuel 7 (but see 2 Samuel 23:5 ); nor is the promise spoken of there as confirmed by an oath. The introduction of God as the speaker without any prefatory ‘Thou hast said’ is surprisingly abrupt. It is possible that the word has dropped out. But Hebrew leaves much to be understood, and misunderstanding is here impossible.

I have made a covenant with my chosen - With my chosen one; that is, with David. The original is in the singular number, though by the Septuagint, and the Vulgate, and by Luther, it is rendered in the plural - chosen ones - elect. This is undoubtedly the language of God himself, though it is not expressly ascribed to him. The design is to describe the solemn promise which God had made to David and to his posterity. Compare Psalm 78:70-71 . See also, on the use of the phrase "made a covenant," see Psalm 50:5 , note; Psalm 83:5 , note. I have sworn unto David my servant - I have taken a solemn oath in regard to him. The substance of the oath is stated in the next verse. The promise referred to is found in 2 Samuel 7:11-16.