Psalms 89:24
But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
Original Language Analysis
וֶֽאֶֽמוּנָתִ֣י
But my faithfulness
H530
וֶֽאֶֽמוּנָתִ֣י
But my faithfulness
Strong's:
H530
Word #:
1 of 6
literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
וְחַסְדִּ֣י
and my mercy
H2617
וְחַסְדִּ֣י
and my mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
2 of 6
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
עִמּ֑וֹ
H5973
עִמּ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
3 of 6
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וּ֝בִשְׁמִ֗י
shall be with him and in my name
H8034
וּ֝בִשְׁמִ֗י
shall be with him and in my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
4 of 6
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Cross References
Psalms 20:5We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.Psalms 89:33Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.Psalms 91:14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.Psalms 20:1The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;Psalms 89:28My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.John 17:11And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.John 17:6I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.John 1:17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.2 Corinthians 1:20For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.1 Samuel 2:1And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
Historical Context
Throughout David's reign, God's faithfulness and mercy were evident despite David's sin with Bathsheba and failure with Absalom. God's covenant love (hesed) remained steadfast. David's horn was indeed exalted—he became the standard by which all subsequent kings were measured (1 Kings 15:3-5, 2 Kings 18:3). Yet the Babylonian exile seemed to lower Israel's horn. Only in Christ is the horn permanently exalted, as Zechariah prophesied: 'He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David' (Luke 1:69).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the pairing of God's 'faithfulness' and 'mercy' assure believers that His covenant promises will never fail?
- What does it mean that David's horn is exalted 'in God's name' rather than his own—how does this apply to Christian ministry and service?
- How does Christ's exaltation to God's right hand demonstrate the fulfillment of God's faithfulness and mercy to David's line?
Analysis & Commentary
But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted. After promising military victory, God emphasizes the foundation of David's success: divine hesed and covenant faithfulness. My faithfulness (wĕ-ʾĕmûnāṯî, וֶאֱמוּנָתִי from ʾĕmet) means reliability, steadfastness, truth—God's unchanging commitment to His covenant promises. My mercy (ḥasdî, חַסְדִּי) is hesed (חֶסֶד), that rich Hebrew term for covenant loyalty, steadfast love, faithful kindness that binds God to His people beyond their deserving.
Shall be with him (ʿim-mô, עִמּוֹ)—God's abiding presence is the source of all blessing. And in my name shall his horn be exalted shifts from God's character to David's resulting glory. The "horn" (qarnô, קַרְנוֹ) symbolizes strength, dignity, and power (as in horns of mighty animals). To have one's horn exalted means increased power and honor. Critically, exaltation comes in my name (ûḇ-šəmî, וּבִשְׁמִי)—through God's reputation and authority, not David's prowess.
This verse beautifully balances divine character (faithfulness, mercy) with resulting human honor (exalted horn). David's strength derives from God's hesed. The supreme example is Christ, whom God exalted to the highest place and gave the name above every name (Philippians 2:9-11) because of His faithful obedience unto death.