Psalms 89:3

3 Thou hast said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant:

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 A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of thy steadfast love, O LORD, for ever; with my mouth I will proclaim thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.
3 Thou hast said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant:
4 'I will establish your descendants for ever, and build your throne for all generations.'" [Selah]
5 Let the heavens praise thy wonders, O LORD, thy faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.