Psalms 89:1
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
Original Language Analysis
חַֽסְדֵ֣י
of the mercies
H2617
חַֽסְדֵ֣י
of the mercies
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
1 of 9
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
יְ֭הוָה
of the LORD
H3068
יְ֭הוָה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עוֹלָ֣ם
for ever
H5769
עוֹלָ֣ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
וָדֹ֓ר׀
generations
H1755
וָדֹ֓ר׀
generations
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
וָדֹ֓ר׀
generations
H1755
וָדֹ֓ר׀
generations
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
אוֹדִ֖יעַ
will I make known
H3045
אוֹדִ֖יעַ
will I make known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
7 of 9
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
Psalms 101:1I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.Lamentations 3:23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.Psalms 89:8O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?Psalms 119:90Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.Psalms 89:49Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?Psalms 36:5Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.Psalms 89:33Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.Titus 1:2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;Isaiah 25:1O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.Psalms 71:8Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
Historical Context
Ethan the Ezrahite wrote during catastrophic defeat, likely Judah's exile. The Davidic covenant promised an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7:12-16), yet the kingship ended with Zedekiah. The psalm wrestles with this apparent covenant failure. Yet it opens by affirming what seems denied: God's mercy and faithfulness endure. This tension between promise and present reality characterizes covenant faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How does beginning with praise of God's faithfulness (v.1) before expressing crisis (vv.38-51) model healthy lament?
- What does it mean to make known God's faithfulness to "all generations"—how are you fulfilling this?
- How does the New Testament reveal that God's covenant with David was never broken but fulfilled in Christ, the eternal King?
Analysis & Commentary
The psalm begins with exuberant praise: "I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations" (Hebrew chasdey YHWH olam ashira l-dor vador odi-a emunatkha b-fi). "Mercies" (Hebrew chesed) is God's covenant love—loyal, steadfast, unbreakable. "Faithfulness" (Hebrew emunah) indicates God's reliability to keep promises. The commitment is intergenerational: "all generations" will hear of God's character. This verse establishes the psalm's theme before the crisis: God's covenant faithfulness forms the basis for appeal when circumstances seem to contradict promises.