Psalms 89:35

KJV

Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.

KJV (with Strong's)

Once {H259} have I sworn {H7650}{H8738)} by my holiness {H6944} that I will not lie {H3576}{H8762)} unto David {H1732}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I have sworn by my holiness once and for all; I will not lie to David

Berean Standard Bible

Once and for all I have sworn by My holiness— I will not lie to David—

American Standard Version

Once have I sworn by my holiness: I will not lie unto David:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 89:35 is a profound declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness, asserting the absolute certainty of His covenant promises to David. Within a psalm that both celebrates and later questions divine commitment, this verse stands as a bedrock statement, reaffirming that God's very holiness guarantees the immutable truthfulness of His word, making it impossible for Him to lie or fail in His solemn oath.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 89 is a royal psalm, attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite, and is structured to first extol God's steadfast love (*hesed*) and faithfulness (vv. 1-18), then elaborate on the Davidic Covenant (vv. 19-37). Verse 35 serves as the climactic affirmation of this covenant, highlighting the integrity of God's character as the ultimate guarantee of His word. The psalm dramatically shifts after this section (vv. 38-51) to a lament, where the psalmist questions God's apparent abandonment of the covenant due to the current state of David's line, facing defeat and disgrace. Thus, verse 35 provides a crucial theological anchor, emphasizing the divine immutability even amidst human experience of apparent contradiction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical foundation for this verse is the Davidic Covenant, first recorded in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), where God promises David an eternal dynasty, a perpetual throne, and a lasting kingdom. In the ancient Near East, oaths were extremely serious, binding individuals to their word. A divine oath, especially one sworn "by my holiness," was the strongest possible guarantee, indicating an unbreakable commitment rooted in the very nature of the deity. For the Israelites, this covenant was central to their national identity and hope, providing assurance of a stable monarchy and a future Messiah, even as the historical Davidic dynasty faced periods of decline, division, and eventual exile.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes within the Psalms and broader biblical theology. It underscores God's **covenant faithfulness** (*hesed* and *emet* – truth/faithfulness), portraying Him as utterly reliable and true to His word. It highlights the **immutability of God's character**, asserting that His holiness makes it impossible for Him to lie or fail on His promises, a concept echoed in [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man, that he should lie") and [Hebrews 6:18](/hebrews/6-18 "Hebrews 6:18 - God's Unchanging Purpose"). The verse also emphasizes the **eternal nature of the Davidic Covenant**, which promised a lasting kingdom and a descendant on the throne, a promise that ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sworn (Hebrew, _nišbaʿ'_):** This verb signifies the act of taking an oath, binding oneself by a solemn declaration. When God "swears," it is the highest form of assurance, an unchangeable and irrevocable commitment that underscores the absolute certainty of what is being promised. It is not merely a statement but a self-binding act.
* **Holiness (Hebrew, _qodesh'_):** This term denotes God's absolute separateness, moral purity, and perfect righteousness. When God swears "by my holiness," He is staking His entire being, His very essence and character, on the truth of His promise. It implies that for God to lie would be to act contrary to His own holy nature, which is an impossibility. This makes the oath utterly reliable and inviolable.
* **Lie (Hebrew, _kāzāḇ'_):** This verb means to deceive, disappoint, or prove false. By explicitly stating "I will not lie," God negates any possibility of falsehood, deception, or failure regarding His covenant with David. It is a powerful affirmation of His absolute reliability and the steadfastness of His word, regardless of circumstances or human failings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Once have I sworn":** This phrase emphasizes the singular, decisive, and irreversible nature of God's oath. It implies that this is not a promise that needs to be repeated or re-affirmed, but a foundational, unchangeable declaration made with ultimate authority and finality. It underscores the eternal and binding nature of the Davidic Covenant.
* **"by my holiness":** This clause reveals the ultimate guarantee of God's promise. God's perfect purity, righteousness, and truthfulness—His very nature—stands behind His word. It is impossible for a holy God to be deceitful or to fail on His promises, as His character is the bedrock of His covenants.
* **"that I will not lie unto David":** This direct and unequivocal declaration underscores God's absolute reliability. What God promises, He performs. His word is steadfast and true, regardless of any perceived contradiction in human experience or historical events. This specific promise concerns the eternal nature of the Davidic kingdom and dynasty.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Psalms 89:35 is the **Divine Oath**, which is a solemn, self-binding declaration made by God, guaranteeing the truth and certainty of His word. The phrase "Once have I sworn" highlights the **Emphasis** on the singular, definitive nature of this oath, underscoring its finality and irrevocability. Furthermore, the statement "I will not lie" employs **Negation** to powerfully affirm God's absolute truthfulness and fidelity; it is a form of **Litotes**, where an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite, thereby strengthening the assertion. This verse also contains an element of **Anthropomorphism**, as God is described as "swearing" like a human, which helps convey the profound seriousness and binding nature of His commitment in terms comprehensible to humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 89:35 provides a profound theological anchor, asserting that God's promises are not contingent on human performance but are rooted in His immutable character. The declaration that God swears "by my holiness" means His very essence—His perfect purity, righteousness, and truthfulness—is the guarantee of His word. This divine self-pledge offers ultimate security for all of God's covenants, demonstrating that His faithfulness is an intrinsic aspect of who He is, making it impossible for Him to deceive or fail. This truth provides immense comfort and stability for believers, assuring them that God's word is absolutely trustworthy, even when circumstances appear to contradict His promises.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man, that he should lie")
* [Titus 1:2](/titus/1-2 "Titus 1:2 - God, who cannot lie")
* [Hebrews 6:17-18](/hebrews/6-17 "Hebrews 6:17-18 - God's Oath and Unchangeable Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world characterized by broken promises, shifting allegiances, and pervasive uncertainty, Psalms 89:35 offers a profound counter-narrative: the unwavering truthfulness of God. This verse calls believers to anchor their hope and trust not in fleeting circumstances or human reliability, but in the immutable character of the Almighty. When God swears by His holiness, He is staking His very being on His word, assuring us that His promises of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life are as secure as His own divine nature. This should inspire a deep confidence that allows us to rest in His faithfulness, even when life's challenges or apparent contradictions tempt us to doubt. It encourages us to persevere in faith, knowing that the God who cannot lie will ultimately fulfill every word He has spoken, culminating in the eternal reign of His Son.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's holiness as the ultimate guarantee of His promises impact your trust in Him during times of personal uncertainty or global instability?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to surrender doubt and more fully embrace the truth that God "will not lie"?**
* **Considering the tension within Psalm 89 between God's promise and the psalmist's lament, how does this verse encourage you to maintain faith even when circumstances seem to contradict God's revealed word?**

### FAQ
**Why is God's "holiness" specifically mentioned as the basis for His oath?**

Answer: God's holiness (Hebrew: *qodesh*) refers to His absolute moral purity, His complete separateness from sin, and His inherent truthfulness. When God swears by His holiness, it means He is staking His very essence and character on the truth of His word. It is an internal, immutable guarantee; it is impossible for a holy God to act contrary to His nature by lying or failing on His promises. This makes the promise utterly reliable and inviolable, as His character is the ultimate foundation of His covenants. This concept is reinforced in [Hebrews 6:18](/hebrews/6-18 "Hebrews 6:18 - God's Unchanging Character"), which states that "it is impossible for God to lie."

**What is the significance of "Once have I sworn"?**

Answer: The word "Once" (Hebrew: *pa'am echad*) emphasizes the singular, decisive, and irreversible nature of God's oath. It signifies that this is not a promise that needs to be repeated or re-affirmed, but a foundational, unchangeable declaration made with ultimate authority and finality. It underscores the eternal and binding nature of the Davidic Covenant, which God will never revoke or alter. This singular, solemn act highlights the absolute certainty and immutability of God's commitment to David and his descendants.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The solemn oath of [Psalms 89:35](/psalms/89-35 "Psalms 89:35 - God's Oath to David"), where God swears by His holiness that He will not lie to David concerning his eternal dynasty, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist laments the apparent failure of the earthly Davidic line, God's promise of an everlasting kingdom and a perpetual throne is perfectly realized in Jesus. He is the true "Son of David" ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ")), whose kingdom is not of this world and will have no end ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Angel Gabriel's Prophecy to Mary")). God's inability to lie, guaranteed by His holiness, ensures that the Messianic promises, deeply rooted in the Davidic Covenant, are absolutely certain. Christ's resurrection and ascension confirm His eternal reign as King and Lord ([Acts 2:30-36](/acts/2-30 "Acts 2:30-36 - Peter's Sermon on David and Christ")), establishing a spiritual kingdom that transcends earthly dynasties and will endure forever. Thus, [Psalms 89:35](/psalms/89-35 "Psalms 89:35 - God's Oath to David") is not merely a historical promise but a prophetic declaration of the unwavering divine commitment to bring forth the eternal King, Jesus, through whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")).

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 132:11

¶ 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.

Hebrews 6:13

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

Titus 1:2

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Hebrews 6:17

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath:

Psalms 110:4

The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Amos 4:2

The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.

Amos 8:7

The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.