Background to Psalms 89

 In Books One through Three “royal” psalms are located at the “seams” or divisions between the books. Psalm 72 divides Books Two and Three, and Psalm 89 separates Book Three from Book Four. Only at Psalm 41, which stands between Books One and Two, do we not find a royal psalm. In Books One through Three the reader can follow a progression of thought in the structure of the books and in the psalms which are located at their “seams. Psalm 89 is a turning point in the Psalter. It leads the reader back to Psalm 2, back to the covenant which YHWH made with David, and laments the failure of that covenant. Books Four and Five are very different from Books One, Two, and Three, with a new focus. In Book Four, the reader learns that YHWH had always been king of the ancient Israelites—their guarantor of order, coherence, and meaning—and YHWH would continue to be king. For more information click here.

Two key words in psalm 89 are "steadfast love (Hebrew hesed) and covenant (Hebrew berit). Together, these two words form one of the most powerful theological tag-teams in the Psalter, because both words have to do with God's character. The first word goes to God's internal character and testifies that at heart, God is a faithful God--this is God's nature. The second word goes to the external actions of God and testifies that God is faithful to the promises God makes" by Rolf Jacobson. To read more click here.

Meditate on God's mercies/ loving kindness and covenant with you and sing of the mercies of the Lord.