Comment – The author of Psalm 89 is probably a seriously offended king, perhaps Joacaz. It speaks of fortresses and demolished walls, this suggests the destruction suffered by Israel by the armies of the Assyrians and Egyptians. The canticle opens recalling the promises of God to David and his descendants, continues praising the power of God, while expressing bewilderment at the catastrophe that has hit the people.
Psalm 89 complete
[1] Maskil. Of Etan the Ezraita.
[2] I will sing endlessly the graces of the Lord, with my mouth I will announce your faithfulness over the centuries,
[3] because you said: "My grace remains forever"; your faithfulness is founded in the heavens.
[4] "I have made an alliance with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant:
[5] I will establish your offspring forever, I will give you a throne that will last for centuries. "
[6] The heavens sing your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of saints.
[7] Who in the clouds is equal to the Lord, who is like the Lord among the angels of God?
[8] God is tremendous in the assembly of saints, great and terrible among those around him.
[9] Who is equal to you, Lord, God of armies? You are powerful, Lord, and your faithfulness makes you crown.
[10] You dominate the pride of the sea, you calm the turmoil of its waves.
Recommended readings- Psalm 76: complete, commentary
- Psalm 62: complete, commentary
- Psalm 102: complete, commentary
- Psalm 6: complete, commentary
- Psalm 20: complete, commentary
[11] You have trampled Rahab like a defeated one, with a powerful arm you have scattered your enemies.
[12] Yours are the heavens, yours is the earth, you founded the world and what it contains;
[13] you created the north and the south, Tabor and Hermon sing your name.
[14] Your arm is powerful, your hand is strong, your right hand is high.
[15] Justice and law are the basis of your throne, grace and faithfulness precede your face.
[16] Blessed are the people who know how to acclaim and walk, O Lord, in the light of your face:
[17] he rejoices all day in your name, in your righteousness he finds his glory.
[18] Because you are the boast of his strength and with your favor you raise our power.
[19] Because of the Lord is our shield, our king, of the Holy One of Israel.
[20] At one time you spoke to your saints in a vision saying: “I have brought help to a brave man, I have raised an elect from my people.
[21] I found David my servant, with my holy oil I consecrated him;
[22] my hand is his support, my arm is his strength.
[23] The enemy will not triumph over him, nor will the unfair oppress him.
[24] I will destroy his enemies before him and strike those who hate him.
[25] My faithfulness and my grace will be with him and his power will rise in my name.
[26] I will stretch out his hand on the sea and on the rivers his right.
[27] He will invoke me: You are my father, my God and rock of my salvation.
[28] I will make him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
[29] I will always keep my grace for him, my covenant will be faithful to him.
[30] I will establish forever his offspring, his throne as the days of heaven.
[31] If his children abandon my law and do not follow my decrees,
[32] if they violate my statutes and fail to obey my commands,
[33] I will punish their sin with the rod and their guilt with scourges.
[34] But I will not take away my grace and I will never fail in my faithfulness.
[35] I will not violate my covenant, I will not change my promise.
[36] I have sworn once and for all on my holiness: I will certainly not lie to David.
[37] His descendants will last forever, his throne before me as the sun,
[38] always steadfast as the moon, faithful witness in the sky ".
[39] But you rejected and repudiated him, you were angry with your consecrated person;
[40] you have broken the covenant with your servant, you have profaned his crown in the mud.
[41] You have torn down all its walls and ruined its fortresses;
[42] all the passers-by looted him, he became the mockery of his neighbors.
[43] You have triumphed over the right hand of his rivals, you have made all his enemies rejoice.
[44] You have smoothed the edge of his sword and have not supported it in battle.
[45] You have put an end to his splendor, you have overturned his throne to the ground.
[46] You shortened the days of his youth and covered him with shame.
[47] How long, Lord, will you keep hiding, will your anger burn like fire?
[48] Remember how short my life is. Why did you almost create every man?
[49] Which living thing will not see death, will escape the power of the underworld?
[50] Where are, Lord, your graces of yesteryear, which you swore to David for your faithfulness?
[51] Remember, Lord, the outrage of your servants: I carry the insults of many peoples in my heart,
[52] with which, Lord, your enemies insult, insult the steps of your consecrated person.
[53] Blessed be the Lord forever. Amen, amen.
