Psalms 89:33
Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֭חַסְדִּי
Nevertheless my lovingkindness
H2617
וְ֭חַסְדִּי
Nevertheless my lovingkindness
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
1 of 7
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מֵֽעִמּ֑וֹ
H5973
מֵֽעִמּ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
4 of 7
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
2 Samuel 7:15But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.Hebrews 6:18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:1 Samuel 15:29And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.1 Kings 11:36And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.1 Kings 11:32(But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)1 Kings 11:13Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.2 Samuel 7:13He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
Historical Context
When Jerusalem fell in 586 BCE and the Davidic monarchy ended, it appeared God had broken His covenant. Psalm 89:38-51 expresses this anguish. Yet God's lovingkindness was not utterly removed—He preserved a remnant, brought them back from exile, maintained David's genealogical line through centuries of foreign rule, and ultimately sent Jesus, the Son of David, through whom the covenant promises were eternally secured. God's faithfulness did not fail, though tested through centuries of apparent silence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the word 'nevertheless' in this verse reveal the heart of the gospel—that God's love is not contingent on human faithfulness?
- What does it mean that God will not 'suffer His faithfulness to fail'—how is God's character the ultimate guarantee of His covenant promises?
- How does Jesus Christ embody both the judgment for covenant-breaking (bearing the rod and stripes) and the preservation of God's hesed and faithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. The crucial turning point: after detailing discipline for covenant violation (vv. 30-32), God declares that punishment will not mean abandonment. Nevertheless (wə-ḥasdî, וְחַסְדִּי prefaced by the adversative waw) signals dramatic reversal. Despite deserved judgment, my lovingkindness (ḥasdî, חַסְדִּי)—that covenantal hesed (חֶסֶד), loyal love—will I not utterly take from him (lōʾ-ʾāp̄îr mê-ʿim-mô, לֹא־אָפִיר מֵעִמּוֹ). The verb pārar (פָּרַר) means to break, annul, make void, frustrate.
Nor suffer my faithfulness to fail uses wə-lōʾ-ʾăšaq-qêr be-ʾĕmûnāṯî (וְלֹא־אֲשַׁקֵּר בֶּאֱמוּנָתִי). The verb šāqar (שָׁקַר) means to deal falsely, act treacherously, lie. God's ʾĕmûnāh (אֱמוּנָה, "faithfulness") cannot fail—He cannot deny His own character or break His word. This echoes Numbers 23:19: "God is not a man, that He should lie...has He said, and will He not do it?"
This verse is the theological hinge of the Davidic covenant. Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God's hesed remains; despite human failure, divine ʾĕmûnāh stands firm. This is not because Israel deserves it but because of God's character and covenant oath. Paul references this in Romans 3:3-4: "What if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not!" God's covenant promise to David found ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the faithful Son who never broke covenant, guaranteeing eternal hesed for all who trust in Him.