Psalms 89:20

Authorized King James Version

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I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:

Original Language Analysis

מָ֭צָאתִי I have found H4672
מָ֭צָאתִי I have found
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 1 of 6
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
דָּוִ֣ד David H1732
דָּוִ֣ד David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 2 of 6
david, the youngest son of jesse
עַבְדִּ֑י my servant H5650
עַבְדִּ֑י my servant
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 3 of 6
a servant
בְּשֶׁ֖מֶן oil H8081
בְּשֶׁ֖מֶן oil
Strong's: H8081
Word #: 4 of 6
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
קָדְשִׁ֣י with my holy H6944
קָדְשִׁ֣י with my holy
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 5 of 6
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
מְשַׁחְתִּֽיו׃ have I anointed H4886
מְשַׁחְתִּֽיו׃ have I anointed
Strong's: H4886
Word #: 6 of 6
to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint

Analysis & Commentary

I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him: God's declaration I have found David echoes 1 Samuel 13:14, where God sought "a man after his own heart" to replace Saul. The verb "found" (māṣāʾtî, מָצָאתִי) suggests discovery of something precious—not that God was searching, but that He identified and designated David for His purposes. The title my servant (ʿabdî, עַבְדִּי) indicates covenant relationship and faithful obedience, the same title applied to Moses, Joshua, and ultimately the Messiah in Isaiah 42-53.

With my holy oil have I anointed him refers to David's anointing by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13), where the Spirit of the Lord came upon him powerfully. The phrase "my holy oil" (bə-šemen qādšî, בְּשֶׁמֶן קָדְשִׁי) emphasizes that this was no ordinary anointing but consecration by God Himself. The verb māšaḥtî (מָשַׁחְתִּי, "I have anointed") gives us "Messiah" (māšîaḥ, מָשִׁיחַ) and Greek "Christ" (Christos, Χριστός)—the Anointed One.

This verse establishes both relationship (servant) and authorization (anointed). David's kingship derived not from military coup or dynastic succession but from divine appointment. Ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and power (Acts 10:38), the true Servant-King.

Historical Context

Samuel anointed David secretly in Bethlehem around 1025 BCE (1 Samuel 16:1-13), years before he became king. David served as Saul's musician and armor-bearer, was driven into exile, led a band of outcasts, and only became king of Judah at age 30 (2 Samuel 2:4), then king of all Israel seven years later (2 Samuel 5:3-4). This verse summarizes God's sovereign purpose that predated and survived all obstacles. The 'holy oil' represented the Holy Spirit's empowerment for royal office.

Questions for Reflection