Psalms 89:5

Authorized King James Version

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And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

Original Language Analysis

וְי֘וֹד֤וּ shall praise H3034
וְי֘וֹד֤וּ shall praise
Strong's: H3034
Word #: 1 of 8
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
שָׁמַ֣יִם And the heavens H8064
שָׁמַ֣יִם And the heavens
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 2 of 8
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
פִּלְאֲךָ֣ thy wonders H6382
פִּלְאֲךָ֣ thy wonders
Strong's: H6382
Word #: 3 of 8
a miracle
יְהוָ֑ה O LORD H3068
יְהוָ֑ה O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אַף H637
אַף
Strong's: H637
Word #: 5 of 8
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
אֱ֝מֽוּנָתְךָ֗ thy faithfulness H530
אֱ֝מֽוּנָתְךָ֗ thy faithfulness
Strong's: H530
Word #: 6 of 8
literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
בִּקְהַ֥ל also in the congregation H6951
בִּקְהַ֥ל also in the congregation
Strong's: H6951
Word #: 7 of 8
assemblage (usually concretely)
קְדֹשִֽׁים׃ of the saints H6918
קְדֹשִֽׁים׃ of the saints
Strong's: H6918
Word #: 8 of 8
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

Analysis & Commentary

And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD (וְיוֹדוּ שָׁמַיִם פִּלְאֲךָ יְהוָה)—The celestial realms (shamayim) confess (yadah—acknowledge, praise) God's pele (wonders, miraculous works). The covenant with David is so extraordinary that angelic beings and cosmic powers join in worship. Thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints (אֱמוּנָתְךָ בִּקְהַל קְדֹשִׁים)—God's emunah (reliability) is praised both in heaven and in the qahal qedoshim (assembly of holy ones), possibly referring to angels or the righteous Israelites.

This verse bridges heaven and earth in worship—the same reality that Revelation 4-5 depicts, where heavenly beings and redeemed humanity join to worship the Lamb on the throne. The 'wonders' include not just creation but redemption, especially the wonder of God keeping covenant despite human failure. Ephesians 3:10 echoes this: God's wisdom is displayed to 'principalities and powers' through the church.

Historical Context

Ancient Israel understood worship as a cosmic event, not merely human activity. The 'congregation of the saints' likely refers to the heavenly council imagery common in ancient Near Eastern thought, but here radically monotheistic—only Yahweh is sovereign, and all heavenly beings are His servants and worshipers.

Questions for Reflection