Chapter 89
Ethan the Ezrahite, possibly the same man mentioned back in 1Chr 6:42, 15:17,19. The name seemed familiar to me, the references are from MSB. The explanation of the psalm in MSB is very helpful also. It says that in this psalm the writer is trying to resolve his theology - which makes Israel God's chosen nation, and David the kingly line forever - with what he is seeing all around him. Apparently this was written in a time of devastation and disgrace - David and Bathsheba? David in hiding from Absalom? Note also that this is the last psalm of Book 3.
2025 - There was also mention of Heman the Ezrahite in the previous Psalm.
Vss 1-37 are a statement of the writer's theology. He talks about the faithfulness of God - unending, unquestionable, and then the kingly line, in vss 1-4.
In 5-7 he talks about God's incomparable power. He compares God to other heavenly inhabitants, one of which includes "the sons of God" (as translated in the footnotes. In ESV it is translated "heavenly beings", but I suspect this is the same phrase Moses used.
2024 - In vs 5, the word used is Strong's 6918. The translation says "assembly of the holy ones". This word for "holy" is used a lot also in Job and Deuteronomy. It is not used at all in Genesis. The root word is "holy", as in holy place, holy consecration, Holy ones. As I see it, this is always "good" beings, good angels, good inhabitants of heaven. But the phrase of more interest is in vs 6:
6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD, [Psa 89:6 ESV]. The Hebrew for "heavenly beings" is elim bibne. The literal translation, reversed in the Hebrew, is "among the sons of the mighty". This is not the phrase in Genesis about those who consorted with human women either. Elim is a bit of a common word, used 245 times in the OT. Here are the meanings it can have: The KJV translates Strong's H410 in the following manner:God (213x), god (16x), power (4x), mighty (5x), goodly (1x), great (1x), idols (1x), Immanuel (with H6005) (2x), might (1x), strong (1x). This is the word used in El Shaddai, Elohim, and so on. It attests to great power, to the extraordinary, to that which is significantly above all peers. It can mean God, but can mean a lesser, but still very great. I think the best way to look at the word in this context is angels.
One more idea here: 7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? [Psa 89:7 ESV]. This is very like the meeting that begins the book of Job. An assembly in heaven. Three times in three verses we see references with some slightly different phrasing that points to the members of this assembly. These are angels, invited, always present, who have earned their places in this heavenly assembly. Neither Lucifer, nor any demon of any kind, would be present at such an assembly - strictly in my own opinion.
The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
Psalms 89:11 ESV
A description of God's power over all creation.
Then a long section recounting God's plans for David and his offspring. This verse is included:
And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
Psalms 89:27 ESV
And this verse also about David:
29 I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens. [Psa 89:29 ESV]
Vss 30-33 seem to anticipate the future, saying that no matter how awful David's children get, that God will punish them, but:
33 but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. 34 I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. 35 Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. [Psa 89:33-35 ESV]
Then the writer sort of lays "reality" at the base of this tower of promises from God,. He talks about the demoralized state of the kingdom, about how their enemies are strengthened against them, David's crown is in the dust and his throne on the ground. The stanza ends with this verse:
45 You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with shame. Selah [Psa 89:45 ESV]
Remember how short my time is! For what vanity you have created all the children of man!
Psalms 89:47 ESV
Vss 46-48 question how long this state of things will go on. The appeal is based on the brevity of the lives of men. If God lets it go on indefinitely, then men will die thinking God has gone back on his promises. They may live and die in a reality that is different from what God promised. So the psalmist prays for a quick reversal, a soon restoration of David and the nation of Israel. Isn't this an interesting point...God's timing of a single event can cover many lifetimes - many generations - of men. If you live in a time of punishment for unrighteousness, then you may live your whole life with no evidence of the mercy and grace and providence of God. In such times, we are still to believe, still to trust in the unfailing faithfulness of God.
This verse opens the next stanza:
49 Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David? [Psa 89:49 ESV]
A plea for understanding of current events, which do not seem to match up with God's promises to David and to Israel.
The psalm ends without a resolution of this question. The "tension" of this seeming contradiction is left hanging in the air, unanswered. But there is a last verse. Despite this seeming failure of God's promises, the psalmist closes with this:
52 Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen. [Psa 89:52 ESV]
We must remember our place in God's plan. Our lives are short, our "wisdom" so limited by the few years we are given. But God is forever. Trust in Him, and in His wisdom.
This is a wonderful FB post. Come back here and look at Psa 89, on 7/1/20.
10/8/21 This reads as if it was written long after David, either under a bad King or a good one following a bad one. Could be from the return from Babylon. It is what happens to a nation that opposes God for too long. That nation fails, becomes a derision, all is unsettled and chaotic. Not a place to live.
2024 - This is the end of Book 3. It seems to be kind of a dark book, talking about dark times in Israel when God has withdrawn and left them to themselves, and it seems that Israel is beset by enemies all around, and these Psalms are the prayers of those who still have faith, and still believe, and still count God only righteous in all that he does. They are prayers for revival, for resurgence, for God's presence and protection to return. As such, they are good reading - and good examples of how to pray - for a nation that has abandoned God and is in the midst of the consequences of such a foolish decision. Book 3 is a good place to go after national elections!