Psalms 89:4

4 ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ ”[a]

Psalms 89:4 in Other Translations

KJV
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
ESV
4 'I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.'" Selah
NLT
4 ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’” Interlude
MSG
4 'Everyone descending from you is guaranteed life; I'll make your rule as solid and lasting as rock.'"
CSB
4 'I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.' " Selah

Psalms 89:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 89:4

Thy seed will I establish for ever
Meaning not the natural seed of David, at least not only them; whose family was indeed preserved, though in very low circumstances, until the Messiah came, who sprung from thence, ( Luke 1:27 ) ( 2:4 ) ( Acts 13:23 ) , but the spiritual seed of Christ, to whom it was promised that he should have a seed, and should see and enjoy it, and which should endure for ever; see ( Psalms 89:29 Psalms 89:36 ) ( Isaiah 59:21 ) , and so he always has had a seed to serve him in all generations, in the worst of times, and will; and who are established in him, and will be kept and preserved by him, and whom he will present to his Father, saying, "Lo, I and the children whom thou hast given me", ( Hebrews 2:13 )

and build up thy throne to all generations;
and this shows that the passage is not to be understood literally of David, and of his temporal throne and kingdom, which did not last many generations; but of the spiritual throne and kingdom of the Messiah, who sprung from him, called the throne of his father David, whose throne is for ever and ever, and whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, ( Luke 1:32 Luke 1:33 ) ( Psalms 45:6 ) ( Daniel 2:44 ) , his throne is in the heavens, where he will reign until all enemies are put under his feet; and it is also in the midst of his church, and in the hearts of his people, where he reigns as King of saints; and he is on the same throne with his Father; it is the same with his, as to glory, power, and authority; on this he will sit, and judge the world at the last day; and on it he will reign with his people a thousand years, in the New Jerusalem state, and after that to all eternity, ( Revelation 3:21 ) ( Revelation 20:4 Revelation 20:5 Revelation 20:11 ) ( Revelation 22:3 Revelation 22:4 ) .

Selah. (See Gill on Psalms 3:2).

Psalms 89:4 In-Context

2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant,
4 ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ ”
5 The heavens praise your wonders, LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?

Cross References 1

  • 1. 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Kings 8:16; Psalms 132:11-12; Isaiah 9:7; Ezekiel 37:24-25; S Matthew 1:1; S Luke 1:33

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 37, 45 and 48.
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