Psalms 89:3

3 You once said, "I joined forces with my chosen leader, I pledged my word to my servant, David, saying,

Psalms 89:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 89:3

I have made a covenant with my chosen
Not with Abraham, as the Targum expresses it: but with David, as in the following clause; not David, literally understood, though he was chosen of the Lord to be his servant, and a covenant was made with him, and a promise made to him of the perpetuity of his throne and kingdom in his family, ( Psalms 78:70 ) ( 2 Samuel 7:16 ) but mystical David, the Messiah, David's son and antitype; after, on this account, called David in Scripture, ( Ezekiel 34:23 Ezekiel 34:24 ) ( Hosea 3:5 ) and who is the Lord's "chosen" One, foreordained to be the Redeemer of lost sinners, chosen to be the Mediator between God and them, to be the head of the church, and Saviour of the body; and his human nature was chosen to the grace of union to the Son of God, ( Psalms 89:19 ) , hence he is called God's elect, ( Isaiah 43:1 ) and with him the covenant of grace was made from all eternity, and all the blessings and promises of it were put into his hands; he is the Mediator, surety, and messenger of it, and by his blood it is ratified and confirmed: the Septuagint render it, in the plural number, "with mine elect ones"; and it is a truth, that the covenant of grace is made with all the elect, considered in Christ, and is made with them as such, and not as believers, converted persons election is the foundation of the covenant, and the source of all covenant blessings:

I have sworn unto David my servant:
to the Messiah, called David, as before observed, and who is the Lord's servant, as man and Mediator, of his choosing, calling, sending, and supporting, ( Isaiah 42:1 ) ( 49:3 ) ( 53:11 ) , to whom he swore, and he will not repent; and which oath of his, joined to his covenant and promise, makes for the strong consolation of the heirs of promise; see ( Psalms 89:35 ) ( 110:4 ) ( Hebrews 6:18 ) , the sum and substance of which covenant and oath follow.

Psalms 89:3 In-Context

1 Your love, God, is my song, and I'll sing it! I'm forever telling everyone how faithful you are.
2 I'll never quit telling the story of your love - how you built the cosmos and guaranteed everything in it. Your love has always been our lives' foundation, your fidelity has been the roof over our world.
3 You once said, "I joined forces with my chosen leader, I pledged my word to my servant, David, saying,
4 'Everyone descending from you is guaranteed life; I'll make your rule as solid and lasting as rock.'"
5 God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways, the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways!
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.