Psalm 89c - Amen and Amen

Read: Psalm 89 vs 38-52

As we have already seen the theme of God’s faithfulness runs through the early parts of Psalm 89 (vs 1,2,5,8,14,33). In verses 1-37 Ethan (the author of the Psalm, noted for his wisdom), celebrates God’s faithfulness and in particular his faithfulness to King David and his Kingdom. However now as today we come to the final third of the Psalm (vs 38-52) we find Ethan not celebrating God’s faithfulness but struggling to make sense of God’s faithfulness in light of what he, and God’s people were currently experiencing. 

David lived out his life secure in the knowledge that God had covenanted to stick with him. However the latter part of David’s life (2 Samuel 11-24) saw David experience much pain and heartache, within his own family and within the nation which he led. Psalm 89 wrestles to make sense of all of this as he watches God’s servant (vs 39) pay the price for sins which he has committed and as he watches David reap the whirlwind for sinning against God (2 Samuel 11). 

The cry of vs 46 becomes a cry that hangs like a dark cloud over the Old Testament. If God’s wrath burns against those who sin against Him, then who can ever really stand before God? The Bible teaches us that none of us are without sin (1 John 1:8), if this is true how can we hope to escape judgment and eternal death Psalm 89:48), how can we ever hope to experience God’s faithful love (vs 49) instead of His wrath?

The Psalmist here struggles to make sense of this and struggles to get a hold of God’s promise to not reject His people. This Psalm, like so much of the Old Testament, cries out for someone like David, and yet better than David. ‘Book 3’ of the book of Psalms (Psalm 73-89) finishes with words of praise (vs 52), trusting that God would one day answer the cries of His sinful people and send the Saviour they needed. Today we read this Psalm knowing that God did indeed answer. We praise Him for His faithfulness, promised long ago (vs 49) and revealed in Jesus.

Prayer: Thank you Father for how in Your faithfulness you sent the Lord Jesus to be our Saviour. Help me to cling closely to Him today and know in Him your great love. Amen.