Psalms 89:37
It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
Original Language Analysis
יִכּ֣וֹן
It shall be established
H3559
יִכּ֣וֹן
It shall be established
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
עוֹלָ֑ם
for ever
H5769
עוֹלָ֑ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
וְעֵ֥ד
witness
H5707
וְעֵ֥ד
witness
Strong's:
H5707
Word #:
4 of 7
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
בַּ֝שַּׁ֗חַק
in heaven
H7834
בַּ֝שַּׁ֗חַק
in heaven
Strong's:
H7834
Word #:
5 of 7
a powder (as beaten small); by analogy, a thin vapor; by extension, the firmament
Historical Context
Throughout Israel's tumultuous history—monarchy, exile, foreign domination, dispersion—the moon continued its faithful witness in the heavens, testifying that God's covenant promise remained in effect despite appearances. When Jesus was born, the faithful witness in heaven announced Him: 'suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God' (Luke 2:13). At His resurrection, 'the angel of the Lord descended from heaven' (Matthew 28:2). Heaven bore faithful witness that God had kept His oath to David.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the moon serve as a 'faithful witness' to God's covenant—what does its unchanging cycle testify about God's character?
- What is the significance of God calling upon created order (sun, moon, heaven) to witness His covenant promises?
- How does the word 'Selah' (pause and reflect) invite us to meditate on the enormity of God's covenant faithfulness fulfilled in Christ?
Analysis & Commentary
It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah. The covenant promises culminate with a third cosmic witness—the moon—and the solemn pause "Selah." It shall be established for ever as the moon (kə-yā-rê-aḥ yik-kôn ʿô-lām, כְּיָרֵחַ יִכּוֹן עוֹלָם) employs yārēaḥ (יָרֵחַ), the moon, which like the sun is a perpetual celestial witness. The verb kûn (כּוּן), "to be established," means to be made firm, stable, enduring. The moon waxes and wanes but never fails to appear, marking seasons and times with unfailing regularity—a perfect symbol of covenant faithfulness through changing circumstances.
And as a faithful witness in heaven uses wə-ʿêḏ baš-ša-ḥaq ne-ʾĕ-mān (וְעֵד בַּשַּׁחַק נֶאֱמָן). The "witness" (ʿēḏ, עֵד) is likely the moon itself, called "faithful" (neʾĕmān, נֶאֱמָן from ʾāman, giving us "amen")—trustworthy, reliable, steadfast. "In heaven" or "in the skies" (baššaḥaq, בַּשַּׁחַק) positions this witness in the celestial realm, beyond human manipulation, visible to all. God calls upon creation itself to testify to His covenant fidelity.
Selah (סֶלָה) appears 71 times in Psalms, likely a musical or liturgical notation meaning pause, rest, or lift up. Here it invites meditation on these staggering promises: God has sworn by His holiness that David's seed and throne will endure as long as sun and moon exist, with the heavens themselves bearing faithful witness. This finds complete fulfillment in Christ, whose kingdom is established forever, witnessed by heavenly hosts (Luke 2:13-14, Revelation 5:11-14).