Psalm 89:52

EXPOSITION

Verse 52. Blessed be the Lord for evermore. He ends where he began; he has sailed round the world and reached port again. Let us bless God before we pray, and while we pray, and when we have done praying, for he always deserves it of us. If we cannot understand him, we will not distrust him. When his ways are beyond our judgment we will not be so foolish as to judge; yet we shall do so if we consider his dealings to be unkind or unfaithful. He is, he must be, he shall be, for ever, our blessed God.

Amen, and Amen. All our hearts say so. So be it, Lord, we wish it over and over again. Be thou blessed evermore.

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 52. Blessed be the Lord for evermore. Amen, and Amen. Victory begins to shine in the phrase, Blessed be Jehovah for evermore. Amen, and Amen. Some think that these words are not the words of the Psalmist, because they are of opinion that they do not agree with the preceding, but were written by another, or added by the Collector of the Psalms as a concluding doxology; or if the Psalmist wrote them, he did so merely in finishing his prayer. But it is a matter of the greatest moment; for it indicates the victory of faith, since he observes that after that grief, the reproach of the heel is gloriously removed that the Messiah may remain a victor for ever, having bruised the serpent's head, and taken away from him in perpetuity all his power of hurting. That this should certainly take place, he adds the seal of faith again and again: "Amen, and Amen." --James Alting, 1618-1679.

Verse 52. This doxology belongs alike to all the Psalms of the Third Book, and ought not to be treated as if it were merely the last verse of the Psalm to which it adjoins. It ought to be set forth in such a shape as would enable and invite God's people to sing it as a separate formula of praise, or in connection with any other Psalm. --William Binnie.

Verse 52. As to the words Amen and Amen, I readily grant that they are here employed to mark the end of the third book of the Psalms. --John Calvin.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 52.

1. The voice. "Blessed", etc. In himself in all his works and ways -- in his judgments as well as in his mercies -- as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ -- "for evermore."
2. The echo, "Amen and amen." Amen, says the church on earth -- says the church in heaven -- say the angels of God -- says the whole holy and happy universe -- says eternity past and eternity to come.

WORK ON THE EIGHTY-NINTH PSALM.

In the Works of John Boys, folio, pp. 805-9, there is an Exposition of a portion of this Psalm.

HERE ENDETH THE THIRD BOOK OF THE PSALMS.