Psalms 89:5

5 quae pro nihilo habentur eorum anni erunt

Psalms 89:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 89:5

And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord
Which, by a prosopopceia, may be understood of the heavens literally, in the same sense as other inanimate creatures praise the Lord, ( Psalms 148:3 Psalms 148:4 ) , or mystically of the church, consisting of heaven born souls, and whose doctrines and ordinances are from heaven; or of the apostles, as Jerom, who had their ministry, mission, commission, and gifts, from thence; or rather of the angels, the inhabitants of heaven, who praise the Lord for his wonderful works of nature, providence, and grace, ( Psalms 148:2 ) , particularly they admire and praise the wonderful work of redemption "that wonderful thing of thine" F13, as the word may be rendered, being in the singular number: the person of the Redeemer is wonderful, and that is his name; his incarnation is a most amazing thing, it is the great mystery of godliness; and the redemption wrought out by him is the wonder of men and angels: when he appeared in the world, the angels of God worshipped him; at his birth, they sung glory to God in the highest; and the mysteries of his grace are what they look into with wonder and praise, ( Hebrews 1:6 ) ( Luke 2:13 Luke 2:14 ) ( 1 Peter 1:12 ) ,

thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints;
i.e. is praised there; which Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret of the angels also, who are called saints, ( Deuteronomy 33:2 ) , of which there is a congregation, even an innumerable company, ( Revelation 19:6 ) , these not only admire and praise the wonderful works of the Lord, but his perfections also; and particularly his faithfulness in the execution of promises and threatenings, ( Revelation 7:11 Revelation 7:12 ) ( 16:5 ) , but rather holy men are meant, such as are called to be saints, and are gathered together in a Gospel church state, designed by a congregation of them, among and by whom the truth and faithfulness of God, as well as his lovingkindness and mercy, are spoken of with the highest commendation, ( Psalms 40:9 Psalms 40:10 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F13 (Kalp) "mirabile tuum", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Gerjus; "mirabile apus tuum", Junius & Tremellius; "illud miraculum tuum", Michaelis.

Psalms 89:5 In-Context

3 ne avertas hominem in humilitatem et dixisti convertimini filii hominum
4 quoniam mille anni ante oculos tuos tamquam dies hesterna quae praeteriit et custodia in nocte
5 quae pro nihilo habentur eorum anni erunt
6 mane sicut herba transeat mane floreat et transeat vespere decidat induret et arescat
7 quia defecimus in ira tua et in furore tuo turbati sumus
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.