The title of this Psalm attributes its authorship to Ethan the Ezrahite, who served as a musician in King David’s court. He was later recognised among the wise men during King Solomon’s reign. The Psalm centres on God’s faithfulness to His covenant with David and his descendants. Portions of the text appear to reflect the troubled times during Rehoboam’s rule. Since the author lived through both David’s and Solomon’s reigns, it is likely that this Psalm was composed in his old age. The Psalm is divided into two main sections: the first celebrates God’s covenant with David, while the second expresses confusion and anxiety over God’s actions, especially in light of the apparent decline of David’s dynasty.
Established Faithfulness of God
Our God is the God of all generations, and the Psalmist proclaims this truth at the very beginning of the Psalm, declaring that God’s faithfulness is firmly established in the heavens. When earthly circumstances cause us to question His faithfulness, the best response is to look to heaven, where His will is always being fulfilled. This is why Jesus taught us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, affirming His unchanging faithfulness. Given the long life of the Psalmist—possibly witnessing his second or third generation—it is evident that he had personally experienced God’s faithfulness across generations.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,
‘I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations.’” – Psalm 89: 3-4 (NIV)
The greatness of God is expressed in a unique way—by highlighting that He is beyond comparison. Unlike other Psalms, where the writers occasionally made the mistake of comparing the one true God with false gods, inadvertently diminishing His glory, Ethan, known for his wisdom, avoided this error. His understanding and reverence for God are reflected in his refusal to compare Him with anyone or anything else.
The main theme of this Psalm centres on God’s love and faithfulness toward David and his descendants. David was widely regarded not only by Ethan but by many of God’s people as a chosen servant, a man after God’s own heart. Throughout generations, David has remained a central figure, yet at times, the broader purpose of God has been overlooked. While it is true that David was chosen and anointed, we must not stop there. Instead, we should look beyond David and his lineage to recognise that he was chosen to preserve the line through which Jesus, the Saviour of God’s people, would come.
Therefore, the word “chosen” should not be limited to David alone. It also applies to us, as those whom God has called. However, this truth should not lead us to pride, but rather to humility and gratitude. God’s desire is for everyone to be saved—He does not want anyone to perish (John 3:16-17). He has predestined and chosen all people for salvation, offering grace to every living soul on earth.
Righteousness And Justice Of God
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he is more awesome than all who surround him.
Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? … – Psalm 89:7-8 (NIV)
As Ethan closely observed God’s guidance in the life of David and his family—likely because, as a musician in King David’s court, he often gave thanks for God’s mercies upon David—it’s understandable that he viewed the “holy ones who fear God” in the context of the king’s royal assembly. However, by focusing primarily on the earthly king, he may have overlooked the greater revelation God had given him about the heavenly council of saints, gathered from all nations to worship God in reverence. Much later, John would unveil this glorious heavenly scene in the book of Revelation. The question remains: Are we seeking God for deeper and fresh revelations, or are we simply relying on the legacy of past heroes to carry their vision forward?
Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD,
our king to the Holy One of Israel. – Psalm 89:9 (NIV)
Ethan looks beyond David’s life to the ancient days when God delivered His people with great power. This reflection helps Ethan recognise God as the Creator. Often, when all seems well, we readily admire God’s power; but in times of trouble, we tend to fear the devil, imagining he has momentarily overpowered God and threatens to ruin our lives. Yet the writer recounts Israel’s victories and declares God as their King and the Holy One of Israel. We must remember that righteousness and justice belong to God, not only when He appears favourable to us.
God’s Covenant With David
He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father,
my God, the Rock my Savior.’
And I will appoint him to be my firstborn,
the most exalted of the kings of the earth. – Psalm 89: 26-27 (NIV)
Ethan recalls the covenant God made with David. However, he seems to confine this covenant to David and his descendants, viewing it through the lens of human understanding. While Ethan tries to grasp God’s faithfulness with limited insight, God reveals through his writing a far greater plan—the redemption of all mankind.
The message shifts clearly from David to Jesus. Ethan, guided by God’s revelation, writes of God’s Son calling Him Father and becoming the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Yet many misinterpret this as a continued reference to the earthly King David. At the time of David, the Spirit of Sonship had not yet been given to enable people to call God their Father. Notably, in Psalms 2 and 110, where the psalmists speak of God and His Son, the term “LORD” is used, not “Father.” This highlights that the covenant and the establishment of the Kingdom are not ultimately about David, but about God Himself and His eternal plan through Christ.
God’s Covenant With His People
“If his sons forsake my law
and do not follow my statutes,
if they violate my decrees
and fail to keep my commands,
I will punish their sin with the rod,
their iniquity with flogging;
but I will not take my love from him,
nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.” – Psalm 89:30-33 (NIV)
This section of the Psalm is not merely a reassurance to David about his dynasty, but a reflection of the Abrahamic Covenant—God’s promise to redeem all humanity despite their iniquities. It speaks of God preserving a lineage through which Jesus would be born, and of the everlasting Kingdom of God. Because of Jesus’ victory over death, God’s children now have the promise of eternal life. Though mankind disobeyed and was undeserving of God’s love, He remained faithful. God did not withdraw His love but demonstrated it through the ultimate sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, making His love tangible and understandable to all people on the earth.
Lord, where is your former great love,
which in your faithfulness you swore to David? – Psalm 89:49(NIV)
When all is well, we praise God’s power in its fullness. But when trouble comes, we often fear the devil, imagining he has somehow overpowered God and poses a real threat to our lives. This misplaced fear stems from a weak understanding of God’s sovereignty.
As a musician in the King’s court, Ethan witnessed the downfall of King David. This likely shook his faith and led him to question God’s faithfulness. When our attention is fixed on earthly circumstances, we are easily led into doubt, distancing ourselves from God instead of drawing nearer to Him. This is one of the enemy’s most subtle strategies—to use the failures of spiritual leaders to cause believers to question God’s integrity.
It’s troubling that when spiritual leaders fall, believers often blame God rather than consider whether those leaders may have drifted in their relationship with Him. What’s more alarming is that this tendency to blame God is often more common among His own children than among those who don’t know Him. As children of God, is our role to accuse Him or to obey Him?
Ethan was deeply troubled by how David, God’s anointed, was mocked by his enemies. To us, anointing may appear to be a guarantee of protection, but in reality, it is a means through which God teaches His children to trust in His goodness, even in trials. Sadly, we often become more concerned with preserving our public image than guarding our spiritual walk and salvation.
Graceful Praises To Gracious God
When we view God solely through the lens of His saints, we may encounter blind spots that hinder our understanding and lead us to question His integrity. Similarly, if we approach God only with the expectation of receiving earthly blessings, we risk missing the deeper message of His love and grace. In doing so, we may fail to grasp the true nature of His Kingdom and remain confined to our own limited, often conservative, perspectives.
The psalmist begins by affirming God’s faithfulness to David and his lineage, but midway, he shifts to doubt, troubled by the decline of David’s dynasty. In this shift, he misses the greater revelation—the coming of the Redeemer. Yet, he ends the psalm with a doxology, a praise to the LORD. This closing, however, seems more like a customary response—a ritual act of praise as a court musician—rather than a heartfelt expression of love and honour.
Today, we sing many hymns penned by those who encountered God’s peace and presence amid deep suffering. One such hymn is “It Is Well with My Soul.” As we sing these songs, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly entering into the spiritual depth from which these hymns were born, or are we merely singing out of habit?
Lord, help us to encounter Your faithfulness, even when our response to Your incredible and unconditional love has been unfaithful.
As we grow in understanding of Your steadfast love each day, teach us to become faithful in return. Amen
The Jordan Valley 
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