Psalms 119:90
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
Original Language Analysis
וָ֭דֹר
generations
H1755
וָ֭דֹר
generations
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
וָ֭דֹר
generations
H1755
וָ֭דֹר
generations
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
אֱמֽוּנָתֶ֑ךָ
Thy faithfulness
H530
אֱמֽוּנָתֶ֑ךָ
Thy faithfulness
Strong's:
H530
Word #:
3 of 6
literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
כּוֹנַ֥נְתָּ
thou hast established
H3559
כּוֹנַ֥נְתָּ
thou hast established
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
Cross References
Psalms 93:1The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.Psalms 100:5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.Psalms 148:6He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.Micah 7:20Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.Psalms 36:5Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.Psalms 89:11The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.Deuteronomy 7:9Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;Psalms 104:5Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.Ecclesiastes 1:4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
Historical Context
Psalm 119, the longest chapter in Scripture (176 verses), is an elaborate acrostic poem with 22 eight-verse stanzas—one for each Hebrew letter. Likely composed during or after the Exile, it reflects Israel's dependence on Torah when temple and land were lost. The Lamedh section (vv. 89-96) meditates on Scripture's eternal nature.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's faithfulness across generations challenge modern notions of moral relativism and changing truth?
- In what ways does creation's obedience to natural law testify to the reliability of God's revealed law?
- Where in your life do you need to trust God's unchanging faithfulness despite changing circumstances?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations (אֱמוּנָתְךָ לְדֹר וָדֹר emunatekha ledor vador)—God's emunah (faithfulness, steadfastness) transcends time, binding every generation to His covenant promises. The parallelism connects divine faithfulness to creation's stability: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth (כּוֹנַנְתָּ אֶרֶץ וַתַּעֲמֹד konanta eretz vata'amod). The verb kun (established) denotes firm foundation—the same word used of God establishing His throne (Psalm 93:2).
This is verse 90 of the Lamedh (ל) section, where each verse begins with the 12th letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The psalmist anchors hope in God's unchanging character: as creation obeys its Maker's ordinances (v. 91), so Scripture remains trustworthy across millennia. This faithfulness reached ultimate expression in Christ, whom Hebrews 13:8 declares "the same yesterday, today, and forever."