Psalms 89:3

I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,

I have made {H3772}{H8804)} a covenant {H1285} with my chosen {H972}, I have sworn {H7650}{H8738)} unto David {H1732} my servant {H5650},

You said, "I made a covenant with the one I chose, I swore to my servant David,

You said, โ€œI have made a covenant with My chosen one, I have sworn to David My servant:

I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant:

Commentary

Psalm 89:3 KJV declares the foundational promise of God to King David, setting the stage for one of the most significant covenants in biblical history. This verse is part of a psalm that begins by exalting God's steadfast love and faithfulness, before transitioning to a lament over the apparent failure of the Davidic line.

Context

This verse directly references the Davidic Covenant established in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. God, through the prophet Nathan, promised David an enduring dynasty, a perpetual throne, and a lasting kingdom. Psalm 89, attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite, opens by celebrating God's faithfulness (as seen in Psalm 89:1) and then explores the tension between this glorious promise and the later struggles of David's descendants. Verse 3 serves as a powerful reminder of the solemnity and certainty of God's initial oath to His chosen servant, David, upon which the entire covenant rests.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness and Unchangeable Promise: The verse highlights God's unwavering commitment. When God says, "I have made a covenant" and "I have sworn," it underscores the absolute reliability of His word. This is not a conditional agreement based on human performance, but a sovereign declaration of God's intent.
  • The Davidic Covenant: This is a pivotal Old Testament theme, promising an eternal dynasty for David and his offspring. It points forward to the ultimate King, the Messiah, who would sit on David's throne forever (Luke 1:32-33).
  • God's Oath: The phrase "I have sworn" signifies the highest form of divine commitment. God binds Himself by an oath, making His promise utterly secure. This concept is further explored in Hebrews 6:17-18, emphasizing the immutability of God's counsel.
  • Chosenness: David is identified as "my chosen" and "my servant," emphasizing God's sovereign selection and special relationship with him.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "covenant" is b'rit (ื‘ึผึฐืจึดื™ืช), which refers to a solemn agreement or treaty. In this context, it is a unilateral covenant initiated by God.
  • "Sworn" comes from the Hebrew root shaba' (ืฉืึธื‘ึทืข), meaning "to take an oath." When God swears, it is by Himself, as there is no greater authority by which to swear, making the promise absolutely certain and unbreakable.
  • "Chosen" is from bachir (ื‘ึผึธื—ึดื™ืจ), signifying one who is specially selected or elect by God.

Practical Application

Psalm 89:3 serves as a profound anchor for our faith. It reminds us that God's promises are not fleeting suggestions but solemn, unbreakable oaths. Even when life's circumstances or historical events seem to contradict God's declared word (as the rest of Psalm 89 laments the downfall of David's line), we can trust in His ultimate faithfulness. This verse points to the enduring hope found in Jesus Christ, the Son of David, in whom all God's promises are "Yea and Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20). It encourages believers to rest in the unwavering character of a God who keeps His covenant.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 132:11

    ยถ The LORD hath sworn [in] truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

  • 2 Samuel 7:10

    Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,

  • 2 Samuel 7:16

    And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

  • Acts 2:30

    Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

  • 1 Kings 8:16

    Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

  • Jeremiah 33:20

    Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;

  • Jeremiah 33:21

    [Then] may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.