Psalms 89:31

KJV

If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;

KJV (with Strong's)

If they break {H2490}{H8762)} my statutes {H2708}, and keep {H8104}{H8799)} not my commandments {H4687};

Complete Jewish Bible

if they profane my regulations and don't obey my mitzvot,

Berean Standard Bible

if they violate My statutes and fail to keep My commandments,

American Standard Version

If they break my statutes, And keep not my commandments;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 89:31 serves as a crucial conditional clause embedded within God's otherwise unconditional covenant with King David, as detailed throughout Psalm 89. This verse underscores the divine expectation for human obedience, stating that if David's descendants were to disregard God's established decrees and specific instructions, disciplinary consequences would follow. It emphasizes the intricate balance between God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises and the human accountability to His revealed will, setting the stage for the disciplinary actions outlined in the subsequent verses.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 89 is a lament that begins with a fervent celebration of God's covenant faithfulness (vv. 1-18), particularly His eternal covenant with David (vv. 3-4, 19-37). The psalm then shifts to a lament over the apparent failure of this covenant due to the current state of the Davidic monarchy (vv. 38-51). Verse 31 falls within God's direct speech (vv. 19-37), where He reaffirms His covenant but also outlines the consequences of disobedience for David's descendants. It directly precedes the specific disciplinary actions mentioned in [Psalm 89:32](/psalms/89-32 "Psalm 89:32 - Divine Chastening"), which speaks of chastening with the rod.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Davidic covenant, established in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), promised an eternal dynasty and throne for David's lineage. This covenant was foundational to Israelite kingship and their understanding of God's plan for their nation. The concept of "statutes" (חֻקּוֹת, _chuqqot_) and "commandments" (מִצְוֹת, _mitzvot_) was deeply ingrained in Israelite law, stemming from the Mosaic covenant given at Sinai (e.g., [Deuteronomy 5](/deuteronomy/5 "Deuteronomy 5 - The Ten Commandments")). Kings were expected to uphold the law, and their failure to do so often led to national disaster, as seen throughout the history of the divided kingdom. The psalm likely reflects a period of national distress, perhaps after a military defeat or dynastic upheaval, where the covenant promises seemed to be in jeopardy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to the overarching themes of **covenant faithfulness** (both divine and human), **divine discipline**, and **human responsibility**. While God's commitment to His covenant with David is unconditional in its ultimate outcome, the immediate experience of blessing or discipline for David's descendants is conditional upon their obedience. It highlights that God's discipline is not a revocation of His promise but a means of correction, ensuring the integrity and purity of His people. This intricate relationship between divine grace and human accountability is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, from the covenant with Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 17](/genesis/17 "Genesis 17 - Covenant with Abraham")) to the prophetic calls for repentance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Break (Hebrew, _ḥālal'_):** This verb often means "to profane," "to defile," or "to violate." In the context of breaking statutes, it implies a deliberate act of treating something sacred as common or disregarding its authority. It suggests a willful act of rebellion or a profound disrespect for the divine order.
* **Statutes (Hebrew, _ḥuqqot'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to engrave" or "to decree," _ḥuqqot_ refers to fixed ordinances, decrees, or established laws. These are often seen as foundational, unchanging principles laid down by God, emphasizing their authoritative and binding nature. They represent the divine framework for righteous living.
* **Commandments (Hebrew, _mitzvot'_):** This term refers to specific, authoritative instructions or precepts. Unlike _ḥuqqot_ which are broader ordinances, _mitzvot_ are direct commands that require specific actions or prohibitions. The parallelism with "statutes" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's revealed will, encompassing both foundational principles and detailed instructions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If they break my statutes":** This clause introduces the condition. "They" refers to David's descendants, the recipients of the covenant promises. To "break" God's statutes implies a deliberate act of profanation or violation against His established decrees. It speaks to a disregard for the foundational principles of God's law, a willful act of disobedience that undermines the divine order. This is not mere accidental transgression but a conscious turning away from the path God has set.
* **"and keep not my commandments":** This second clause functions in parallel, reinforcing and expanding upon the first. "Keep not" signifies a failure to observe, obey, or adhere to God's specific instructions. While "break" might imply active transgression, "keep not" can also encompass passive neglect or a lack of diligent adherence. Together, these two phrases comprehensively describe a state of disobedience that encompasses both active rebellion against God's fixed laws and passive disregard for His specific precepts. This dual expression underscores the totality of the expected obedience to God's entire revealed will.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where "break my statutes" and "keep not my commandments" express a similar idea using different but related terms. This repetition emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the expected obedience and the totality of the potential disobedience. It underscores that both foundational principles and specific instructions are equally important in God's eyes. The use of the **Conditional Clause** ("If...") sets up a clear cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the contingent nature of the immediate covenant blessings upon human faithfulness. This structure prepares the reader for the consequences detailed in subsequent verses. Furthermore, the verse uses **Legal Language**, drawing on the lexicon of divine law and covenant, which reinforces the seriousness and binding nature of God's expectations for His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 89:31 profoundly illustrates the tension between God's unconditional covenant promises and the conditional experience of blessing or discipline based on human obedience. While God's ultimate faithfulness to His covenant with David is unwavering and eternal, the immediate well-being and prosperity of the Davidic line are directly tied to their adherence to His revealed will. This verse establishes that divine discipline is a necessary, even loving, response to disobedience, designed not to annul the covenant but to purify and correct those within it. It underscores the principle that grace does not negate responsibility; rather, it empowers and obligates a life of responsive obedience.

* [Leviticus 26:14-16](/leviticus/26-14-16 "Leviticus 26:14-16 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant and Inner Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 89:31 serves as a timeless reminder that even within the context of God's gracious covenant promises, human responsibility for obedience remains paramount. For believers today, this verse challenges us to examine our own lives: are we actively "breaking" God's statutes through willful rebellion against His established truths, or are we passively "not keeping" His commandments through neglect, apathy, or a lack of diligence in pursuing His will? God's desire is not for our condemnation but for our conformity to His character, which is always for our good. When we stray, His discipline is a loving corrective, a testament to His Fatherly care, designed to bring us back into alignment with His perfect plan. This should motivate us not to fear punishment, but to cultivate a deep reverence for God's Word and a joyful commitment to living in obedience, knowing that true flourishing is found in harmony with His divine design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "breaking" God's statutes through active disobedience or rebellion?**
* **Where might I be "not keeping" God's commandments through passive neglect or a lack of diligence?**
* **How does understanding God's discipline as a loving corrective, rather than mere punishment, change my perspective on obedience?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to better align my life with God's revealed will?**

### FAQ

**Does God's covenant with David become conditional if his descendants disobey?**

Answer: God's covenant with David, as detailed in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant") and reaffirmed in Psalm 89, has both unconditional and conditional elements. The ultimate promise of an eternal dynasty and throne for David's lineage is unconditional, rooted in God's faithfulness (e.g., [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3-4 "Psalm 89:3-4 - God's Covenant with David")). However, the immediate experience of blessing, prosperity, and the avoidance of divine discipline for individual kings within that line *is* conditional upon their obedience. Psalms 89:31-32 clarifies that while God will not revoke the covenant or remove His steadfast love from David's line, He reserves the right to chasten and discipline them with "the rod" if they "break my statutes, and keep not my commandments." This discipline is a corrective measure, not a covenant annulment, ensuring the purity and testimony of the covenant people.

**What is the difference between "statutes" and "commandments" in this verse?**

Answer: While often used interchangeably or in conjunction to refer to God's law, the terms "statutes" (חֻקּוֹת, _chuqqot_) and "commandments" (מִצְוֹת, _mitzvot_) carry distinct nuances that, when combined, emphasize the comprehensive nature of God's revealed will. "Statutes" generally refer to fixed ordinances, decrees, or established principles, often implying something engraved or permanently set (e.g., the laws governing creation or foundational moral laws like those found in [Exodus 21](/exodus/21 "Exodus 21 - Laws for Israel")). They represent the broader framework and foundational principles of God's law. "Commandments," on the other hand, typically refer to specific, authoritative instructions or precepts that require particular actions or prohibitions (e.g., the Ten Commandments in [Exodus 20](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments")). By mentioning both, Psalms 89:31 highlights that disobedience encompasses both a disregard for God's overarching moral order and a failure to adhere to His specific instructions for daily living.

**How does divine discipline relate to God's love?**

Answer: In biblical theology, divine discipline is consistently portrayed as an expression of God's love and fatherly care, not an act of rejection or hatred. Just as a loving parent corrects their child for their good, God disciplines His people to lead them to repentance, refine their character, and restore them to a right relationship with Him. [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6 - The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves") explicitly states, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." This discipline, though painful in the short term, produces "a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" ([Hebrews 12:11](/hebrews/12-11 "Hebrews 12:11 - Discipline Yields Righteousness")). Therefore, Psalms 89:31, by outlining the conditions for discipline, implicitly affirms God's commitment to His people's holiness and ultimate well-being, even when it requires corrective action.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 89:31, with its conditional statement regarding the disobedience of David's descendants, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament kings, though recipients of the Davidic covenant, consistently failed to "keep not my commandments," leading to cycles of discipline, exile, and the apparent failure of the monarchy. This verse highlights the inherent human inability to perfectly uphold God's statutes and commandments, revealing the need for a perfect King. Jesus, as the true Son of David, did not "break" God's statutes or "keep not" His commandments; rather, He perfectly fulfilled the law in every respect ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). His obedience was not conditional, but absolute, establishing Him as the righteous King whose reign would truly be eternal and unblemished by sin. Furthermore, through His atoning sacrifice, Christ bore the discipline for our breaking of God's statutes and our failure to keep His commandments, so that those who believe in Him might be reconciled to God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in newness of life, with God's law written on their hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant and Inner Law"); [Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ")). Thus, the conditional warning of Psalms 89:31 points forward to the unconditional grace and perfect obedience found in Christ, ensuring the eternal stability of God's kingdom through Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 55:20

He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.