Psalms 89:29

Authorized King James Version

PDF

His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

Original Language Analysis

וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י also will I make H7760
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י also will I make
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 1 of 6
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לָעַ֣ד to endure for ever H5703
לָעַ֣ד to endure for ever
Strong's: H5703
Word #: 2 of 6
properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e., (by implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or wit
זַרְע֑וֹ His seed H2233
זַרְע֑וֹ His seed
Strong's: H2233
Word #: 3 of 6
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
וְ֝כִסְא֗וֹ and his throne H3678
וְ֝כִסְא֗וֹ and his throne
Strong's: H3678
Word #: 4 of 6
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
כִּימֵ֥י as the days H3117
כִּימֵ֥י as the days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 5 of 6
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
שָׁמָֽיִם׃ of heaven H8064
שָׁמָֽיִם׃ of heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 6 of 6
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

Analysis & Commentary

His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. This verse climaxes the covenant promises with two eternal guarantees: perpetual dynasty and unending reign. His seed also will I make to endure (wə-śam-tî lā-ʿaḏ zar-ʿô, וְשַׂמְתִּי לָעַד זַרְעוֹ) uses zeraʿ (זֶרַע), literally "seed" but meaning offspring, descendants, dynasty. The phrase lāʿaḏ (לָעַד), "forever" or "perpetually," emphasizes unbroken continuity. God will "make to endure" or "establish" (śîm, שִׂים) David's lineage permanently.

His throne as the days of heaven (wə-ḵis-ʾô kî-mê šā-mā-yim, וְכִסְאוֹ כִּימֵי שָׁמָיִם) employs magnificent imagery. The "throne" (kissēʾ, כִּסֵּא) symbolizes royal authority and reign. As the days of heaven means as long as heaven endures—which is forever. This echoes Jeremiah 33:20-21: "If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night...then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken." Heaven's permanence guarantees the throne's permanence.

This promise seemed to fail when Zedekiah was dethroned in 586 BCE and no Davidic king ruled for centuries. Yet God's word cannot fail. The angel announced to Mary: "The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:32-33). Christ's resurrection and ascension established His eternal throne, fulfilling this ancient promise. His reign is not merely as long as heaven endures—He reigns in heaven itself, forever.

Historical Context

The promise that David's seed would endure forever and his throne last as long as heaven seemed impossible after the Babylonian conquest. From 586 BCE until Jesus's birth, no Davidic king ruled in Jerusalem. The post-exilic community was governed by Persian appointees, then Greek overlords, then Hasmonean priest-kings, then Roman puppets. Yet God preserved David's genealogical line through centuries of obscurity. Jesus, born in Bethlehem of the virgin Mary (both descendants of David), inherited the legal right to David's throne through Joseph and the blood right through Mary. His kingdom, inaugurated at His resurrection, will have no end.

Questions for Reflection