Psalms 89:34

34 Do you think I'd withdraw my holy promise? or take back words I'd already spoken?

Psalms 89:34 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 89:34

My covenant will I not break
Not the covenant at Sinai, as Aben Ezra, but the covenant of grace made with Christ, and which stands fast with him, ( Psalms 89:3 Psalms 89:28 ) , which is firm, sure, and stable, and as immovable as mountains and hills, and more so, ( 2 Samuel 23:5 ) ( Isaiah 54:10 ) or "profane" F13 it, though his people profane his statutes, ( Psalms 89:31 ) , he will not profane his covenant; though they violate his laws, he is a God keeping covenant with them, and will not break his word with them:

nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips;
any promise of his, respecting either the temporal, spiritual, or eternal welfare of his people: or "not change" F14; as he changes not in his nature and perfections, nor in his love and affections, nor in his counsels and purposes; so neither in his covenant and promises, they are always the same, and have a certain and unchangeable accomplishment; there is a performance of whatsoever is spoken by the Lord, ( Luke 1:45 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F13 (llxa al) "non prophanabo", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version
F14 (hnva al) "non mutabo", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius

Psalms 89:34 In-Context

32 - I'll rub their faces in the dirt of their rebellion and make them face the music.
33 But I'll never throw them out, never abandon or disown them.
34 Do you think I'd withdraw my holy promise? or take back words I'd already spoken?
35 I've given my word, my whole and holy word; do you think I would lie to David?
36 His family tree is here for good, his sovereignty as sure as the sun,
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.