Psalm 89: Established Forever

The Psalms are divided into five books: Book 1 (1-41), Book 2 (42-72),
Book 3 (73-89), Book 4 (90-106) and Book 5 (107-150). Our psalm today
is the last chapter in the saddest book, which is about ‘devastation.’

God has established an eternal covenant promise to David (2 Sam 7:8-17)
which includes land, a house (dynasty) and a King. One of David’s
offspring will reign on this throne in Jerusalem forever. As God keeps this
covenant, his covenant people are called to trust him and remain devoted
to him alone. If they do not, God will step in and discipline them, yet God
will keep his covenant forever.

In Psalm 89, the crown, established by God is now “defiled” and lays “in
the dust” (39). The good things that God has promised (land, a house and
a king), once held in their hands, are now seemingly gone, and their
enemies are mocking and even plundering them.

What will we do when our faith in God is at a breaking point? Will we
turn to other gods? Or will we turn back, full face, to trust God, who has
established his covenant forever?

When our faith in God is at a breaking point...
1. We will worship: God keeps his promise every time. (1-37)
2. We will lament: God sometimes seems very far away from us.
(38-51)
3. But we will worship forever, and lament only momentarily.
(52)