Psalm 89:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For I said, "Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness."

NIV: I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

NASB: For I have said, 'Graciousness will be built up forever; In the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.'

CSB: For I will declare, "Faithful love is built up forever; you establish your faithfulness in the heavens."

NLT: Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

KJV: For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

NKJV: For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.”

Psalm 89:1–18 praises the Lord for unfailing love and faithfulness. He is also praised for making a covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:11–16). This is a sign of God's power and graciousness. Also impressive are the Lord's acts of sovereign power. Those who side with the Lord God are blessed for siding with Him.

This psalm is not directly connected to other events in Scripture; it might be associated with the Babylonian captivity (2 Kings 24:10–16) or the Egyptian raid against Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:25–28). The psalmist begins by praising God for His loyal love. It applauds His covenant with David. However, this turns to grief over apparent defeats and humiliations. The psalm ends with a plea for the Lord to remember His promises and reverse Israel's fortunes.

This psalm is attributed to Ethan, a Levite (1 Chronicles 15:17–18). The content suggests Israel had suffered one or more crushing defeats (1 Kings 14:25–28; 2 Kings 24:10–16). So, after celebrating God's love in establishing David's throne, the tone quickly turns to bitter mourning. This combination—faith paralleled with honest angst—is a common theme in the psalms (Psalm 22; 73; 74).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 10/31/2025 11:09:38 AM