Psalm 89
Reading edition
A contemplation by Ethan, the Ezrahite.
89:1 I will sing of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever.
With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
89:2 I indeed declare, "Love stands firm forever.
You established the heavens.
Your faithfulness is in them."
89:3 "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David, my servant,
89:4 'I will establish your seed forever,
and build up your throne to all generations.'"
Selah.
89:5 The heavens will praise your wonders, Yahweh;
your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
89:6 For who in the skies can be compared to Yahweh?
Who among the sons of the heavenly beings is like Yahweh,
89:7 a very awesome God in the council of the holy ones,
to be feared above all those who are around him?
89:8 Yahweh, God of Armies, who is a mighty one, like you?
Yah, your faithfulness is around you.
89:9 You rule the pride of the sea.
When its waves rise up, you calm them.
89:10 You have broken Rahab in pieces, like one of the slain.
You have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
89:11 The heavens are yours.
The earth also is yours;
the world and its fullness.
You have founded them.
89:12 The north and the south, you have created them.
Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.
89:13 You have a mighty arm.
Your hand is strong, and your right hand is exalted.
89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.
Loving kindness and truth go before your face.
89:15 Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you.
They walk in the light of your presence, Yahweh.
89:16 In your name they rejoice all day.
In your righteousness, they are exalted.
89:17 For you are the glory of their strength.
In your favor, our horn will be exalted.
89:18 For our shield belongs to Yahweh;
our king to the Holy One of Israel.
89:19 Then you spoke in vision to your saints,
and said, "I have bestowed strength on the warrior.
I have exalted a young man from the people.
89:20 I have found David, my servant.
I have anointed him with my holy oil,
89:21 with whom my hand shall be established.
My arm will also strengthen him.
89:22 No enemy will tax him.
No wicked man will oppress him.
89:23 I will beat down his adversaries before him,
and strike those who hate him.
89:24 But my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him.
In my name, his horn will be exalted.
89:25 I will set his hand also on the sea,
and his right hand on the rivers.
89:26 He will call to me, 'You are my Father,
my God, and the rock of my salvation!'
89:27 I will also appoint him my firstborn,
the highest of the kings of the earth.
89:28 I will keep my loving kindness for him forevermore.
My covenant will stand firm with him.
89:29 I will also make his seed endure forever,
and his throne as the days of heaven.
89:30 If his children forsake my law,
and don't walk in my ordinances;
89:31 if they break my statutes,
and don't keep my commandments;
89:32 then I will punish their sin with the rod,
and their iniquity with stripes.
89:33 But I will not completely take my loving kindness from him,
nor allow my faithfulness to fail.
89:34 I will not break my covenant,
nor alter what my lips have uttered.
89:35 Once have I sworn by my holiness,
I will not lie to David.
89:36 His seed will endure forever,
his throne like the sun before me.
89:37 It will be established forever like the moon,
the faithful witness in the sky."
Selah.
89:38 But you have rejected and spurned.
You have been angry with your anointed.
89:39 You have renounced the covenant of your servant.
You have defiled his crown in the dust.
89:40 You have broken down all his hedges.
You have brought his strongholds to ruin.
89:41 All who pass by the way rob him.
He has become a reproach to his neighbors.
89:42 You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries.
You have made all of his enemies rejoice.
89:43 Yes, you turn back the edge of his sword,
and haven't supported him in battle.
89:44 You have ended his splendor,
and thrown his throne down to the ground.
89:45 You have shortened the days of his youth.
You have covered him with shame.
Selah.
89:46 How long, Yahweh?
Will you hide yourself forever?
Will your wrath burn like fire?
89:47 Remember how short my time is!
For what vanity have you created all the children of men!
89:48 What man is he who shall live and not see death,
who shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?
Selah.
89:49 Lord, where are your former loving kindnesses,
which you swore to David in your faithfulness?
89:50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servants,
how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the mighty peoples,
89:51 With which your enemies have mocked, Yahweh,
with which they have mocked the footsteps of your anointed one.
89:52 Blessed be Yahweh forevermore.
Amen, and Amen.
BOOK IV