Psalms 89:3

3 I disposed a testament to my chosen men; I swore to David, my servant, (Thou saidest, I made a covenant with my chosen man; I swore to my servant David,)

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 The learning of Ethan, (the) Ezrahite. I shall sing [into] without end; the mercies of the Lord. In generation and into generation; I shall tell thy truth with my mouth. (The teaching of Ethan, the Ezrahite. I shall sing of the Lord's constant love forever. To all generations, I shall tell out thy faithfulness with my mouth.)
2 For thou saidest, [Into] Without end mercy shall be builded in heavens; thy truth shall be made ready in those. (For thy love shall last forever; thy faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.)
3 I disposed a testament to my chosen men; I swore to David, my servant, (Thou saidest, I made a covenant with my chosen man; I swore to my servant David,)
4 Till into without end I shall make ready thy seed. And I shall build thy seat; in generation, and into generation. (that I shall establish thy children, or thy descendants, forever. And I shall preserve thy throne; for all generations.)
5 Lord, heavens shall acknowledge thy marvels; and thy truth in the church of saints. (Lord, the heavens shall praise thy marvellous deeds; and the council of the saints shall praise thy faithfulness.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.