He Will Not Be False to His Faithfulness in Psalm 89

Ethan the Ezrahite, the author of this psalm, has become my friend. I have spent some helpful time in this chapter of the psalter.

“I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 89:1

Ethan writes for everyone whose experience goes from joy and praise to pain and complaint.

Joy and praise is evidenced by the lifting of his voice to sing of God’s steadfast love. God’s faithfulness is so palpable. He desires to make it known to all people for all times. Ethan rehearses these declarations and reminds God himself of his covenant.

The heavens give praise to God. Nothing above compares to God. No one is like the Lord God Almighty. He is surrounded by his own faithfulness. He rules the seas. His strong arm defeats enemies. All creation is his possession, and creation sings for joy at his name.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face…” Psalm 89:14-15

Ethan establishes the righteousness and justice of God and balances it with his love and faithfulness. What a beautiful picture of God. Both sides—his righteousness held in tandem with his faithful love. Righteousness alone may tend toward harshness. Love alone may tend toward licentiousness. At least in our hands. However, to be clear Ethan declares both to us.

In response, people rejoice and celebrate. He is their strength. In him his people find favor. He is a shield for his people. And David was chosen by God. Mighty. Anointed. Established. God’s possession. God’s covenant and steadfast love are made evident. Promised. But a covenant goes two directions.

“If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules, if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes…” Psalm 89:31-32

There are requirements for God’s people. Keep the law. Walk according to his ways—do not violate statutes or commandments.

Or punishment will follow. And joy and praise can turn to pain and complaint.

“…but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness.” Psalm 89:33

We need to stop and bask in the message of this verse’s declaration. Even in brokenness. Broken lives. Broken laws. Failure on our part. Loss. Pain. Complaint.

He will not remove his steadfast love, and he will not be false to his faithfulness.

Believe it. Trust him. Interpret your circumstances in the context of this truth. I love 2 Timothy 2:13 where Paul repeats a saying: “…if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.”

Neither will he violate his covenant. He will not alter his words. He swears by his holiness, and he will not lie.

“But now you have cast off and rejected; you are full of wrath against your anointed.” Psalm 89:38

Joy and praise has, indeed, turned to pain and complaint. Ethan has changed his tune. All appearances—in a desperate time—seem to say the people have been rejected and that wrath is against them. He says in verse thirty-nine, “You have renounced the covenant…” Ethan claims they have been defiled and are in ruin. Plundered. Scorned.

“How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire?” Psalm 89:46

Lament is liberating and appropriate. In difficult times, we are to turn to God, complain to God, make requests of God, but trust in God—as in Psalm 13. When Ethan thinks that God has turned his back on him, he turns to press into God in trust. He contends that man was created in vain and concludes all are going to die.

“Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David?” Psalm 89:49

His lament culminates with questions—even doubts—about steadfast love and faithfulness. He complains. But he also makes his request to have God remember.

And he trusts. He blesses God. This is real life. Joy and pain. Praise and complaint.

If your circumstances are telling you that God has removed his steadfast love from you, your circumstances are lying to you. He will not be false to his faithfulness.

“Blessed be the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.” Psalm 89:52