Psalms 89

Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

Evidently this psalm, with Psalms 88:0, are parts of one whole, as we have seen. See introduction to Psalms 88:0. Ethan, the author of this, and Heman, the author of that, both Ezrahites or Zarhites, must be regarded as descendants of Zerah, or Zarah, son of Judah, who was twin brother to Pharez, the ancestor of David, (compare Genesis 38:24-30; 1 Chronicles 2:4; 1 Chronicles 2:6; Ruth 4:18-22,) and, being intimately allied to the royal family, were taken captives to Babylon, with all of the king’s household and nobility, by Nebuchadnezzar. 2 Kings 24:11; 2 Kings 24:14-16; Jeremiah 52:28-30; Daniel 1:3. Both psalms appear to have been written by public officers who entered deeply into government views, especially concerning the perpetuity of the house of David. Compare Psalms 89:3-4; Psalms 89:19-29, with 2 Samuel 7:0. Indeed, Psalms 89:0 exhibits faith straggling to maintain a standing on this ancient covenant (of 2 Samuel 7:0) against all the contradictory dispensations of the present, while Psalms 88:0 had already gone down to the lowest depths of despondency, and reckoned the nation as “prostrate among the dead, like the slain in battle.” See on Psalms 88:5. The political tone, if we may so speak, of these psalms, suits well the strong individuality of Judah among the tribes, and the royal house of David in the government.

The psalmist joyfully and thankfully pleads the perfections of God, his faithfulness, especially to the covenant of David, on which he bases his hope for the nation, Psalms 89:1-37; urges the sad contrast to this in their present condition, Psalms 89:38-45; and pleads earnestly for divine interference and the vindication of his reproached name and apparently doubted fidelity, ending with an emphatic doxology, Psalms 89:46-52.

TITLE: Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite An instructive psalm of Ethan, son [or descendant] of Zerah, [or Ezrah.] See preceding introduction, and introduction to Psalms 88:0