Psalms 89:49
Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?
Original Language Analysis
חֲסָדֶ֖יךָ
lovingkindnesses
H2617
חֲסָדֶ֖יךָ
lovingkindnesses
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
2 of 7
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
הָרִאשֹׁנִ֥ים׀
where are thy former
H7223
הָרִאשֹׁנִ֥ים׀
where are thy former
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
3 of 7
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתָּ
which thou swarest
H7650
נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתָּ
which thou swarest
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
5 of 7
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
Historical Context
God's oath to David (2 Samuel 7:11-16; Psalm 89:3-4, 35-37) was unconditional: "I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me." Exile seemed to contradict this. The answer: God's oath wasn't to biological succession but to the Messianic seed. Christ, David's son, fulfills the oath eternally. God's "former mercies" to David were types of eternal mercies in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- When God's "former" mercies seem absent, how do you distinguish between doubting God's character and questioning His timing?
- How does God's oath to David (2 Samuel 7) ultimately find fulfillment in Christ rather than biological descendants?
- What does Hebrews 6:13-18 teach about the unchangeable nature of God's sworn promises?
Analysis & Commentary
Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth? (אַיֵּה חֲסָדֶיךָ הָרִאשֹׁנִים אֲדֹנָי נִשְׁבַּעְתָּ לְדָוִד בֶּאֱמוּנָתֶךָ ayyeh chasadekha harishonim adonai nishba'ta le-david be-emunatekha)—ayyeh (where?) expresses anguished searching. Chasadim harishonim (former mercies/lovingkindnesses) refers to God's covenant love shown previously. Nishba'ta (thou swarest) recalls God's oath; emunah (truth, faithfulness) grounds the appeal in God's character.
This is covenant lawsuit language—Israel holding God to His sworn testimony. The psalmist isn't doubting God's existence but His consistency: Where is the chesed displayed to David, promised to his descendants? The "former" mercies seem absent in present catastrophe. Yet the answer: God's chesed never ceased; it was being demonstrated in discipline that would ultimately restore (Lamentations 3:22: "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed"). The ultimate chesed sworn to David came in Christ, "of whom it is witnessed, Thou art a priest for ever" (Hebrews 7:17)—the eternal King from David's line. God's oath stands forever (Hebrews 6:13-18).