Psalms 89:38

ยถ But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.

But thou hast cast off {H2186}{H8804)} and abhorred {H3988}{H8799)}, thou hast been wroth {H5674}{H8694)} with thine anointed {H4899}.

But you spurned your anointed one, rejected and vented your rage on him.

Now, however, You have spurned and rejected him; You are enraged by Your anointed one.

But thou hast cast off and rejected, Thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 89:38 (KJV)

Psalm 89:38 is a poignant verse found within a psalm that begins by celebrating God's enduring faithfulness and His covenant promises to King David. However, the tone dramatically shifts in the latter half of the psalm, moving into a deep lament. This verse expresses the psalmist's profound distress and confusion, as the current reality seems to contradict God's earlier, unconditional promises to David's lineage.

Context

Psalm 89 is attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite, a wise man contemporary with Solomon (1 Kings 4:31). The first part (verses 1-37) is a magnificent hymn praising God's steadfast love and faithfulness, specifically highlighting the Davidic Covenant, where God promised David an eternal dynasty and throne (Psalm 89:3-4).

However, the second part (from verse 38 onwards) abruptly shifts to a lament. The psalmist observes the Davidic king (the "anointed") suffering defeat, humiliation, and apparent abandonment by God. This stark contrast between God's glorious promises and the nation's dire circumstances, likely during a period of military defeat or national crisis, forms the emotional core of this verse. The psalmist feels that God has "cast off" His chosen one, despite His covenant.

Key Themes

  • Divine Displeasure and Wrath: The verse directly states God's anger ("wroth") and rejection ("cast off and abhorred") towards His "anointed." This reflects a deep sense of divine judgment or discipline being experienced by the Davidic monarchy.
  • Perceived Covenant Failure: From the psalmist's perspective, God seems to have broken His solemn promises to David. This creates intense theological tension: how can an unchanging God go back on His word?
  • Suffering of the Anointed King: The focus is on the distress of the Davidic king, who, though consecrated by God, is now experiencing humiliation and defeat. This highlights the vulnerability of even God's chosen leaders when divine favor seems withdrawn.
  • Lament and Questioning: The verse is part of a larger lament, demonstrating how believers can honestly express their deepest doubts and confusion to God when circumstances contradict their understanding of His character and promises.

Linguistic Insights

  • "cast off" (Hebrew: zanach - ื–ึธื ึทื—): This strong verb means to reject, abandon, or throw away. It conveys a sense of complete dismissal or repudiation.
  • "abhorred" (Hebrew: shaqat - ืฉึธืืงึทืฅ): To detest, loathe, or make abominable. It emphasizes a feeling of revulsion or disgust.
  • "wroth" (Hebrew: qatsaph - ืงึธืฆึทืฃ): To be enraged, furious, or angry. This denotes an active and intense displeasure.
  • "thine anointed" (Hebrew: mashiach - ืžึธืฉึดืื™ื—ึท): This is the source word for "Messiah" in English. In this context, it refers to the king of Israel, a descendant of David, who was consecrated for his role through anointing oil. The psalmist is bewildered that God's own chosen and consecrated king is facing such divine wrath. This term later takes on profound significance, pointing to the ultimate "Anointed One," Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills the promises to David (Luke 1:32-33).

Practical Application

Psalms 89:38 offers profound insights for believers today:

  1. Honest Lament: It validates the human experience of doubt and confusion when life's circumstances seem to contradict God's promises. It teaches us that it's acceptable to express our pain and questions directly to God, even when we feel He has "cast us off."
  2. Understanding Discipline: While the psalmist expresses bewilderment, the New Testament reminds us that God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). What feels like abandonment might be a season of refining or correction.
  3. Enduring Faith in God's Character: Despite the psalmist's feelings, the Psalm ultimately ends with a renewed declaration of God's enduring faithfulness (Psalm 89:52). Our feelings may fluctuate, but God's character and His promises remain constant, even when we don't understand His ways (2 Timothy 2:13).
  4. Hope in the True Messiah: The ultimate answer to the psalmist's dilemma is found in Jesus, the true "Anointed One." While the Davidic kings often failed, Christ perfectly fulfilled the covenant, establishing an eternal kingdom that will never be cast off (Isaiah 9:6-7). He experienced the ultimate rejection and wrath on the cross so that believers might never be truly cast off from God's love.
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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

  • Deuteronomy 32:19

    ยถ And when the LORD saw [it], he abhorred [them], because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.

  • 1 Chronicles 28:9

    And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

  • Psalms 106:40

    Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

  • Psalms 89:51

    Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.

  • 2 Chronicles 12:1

    ยถ And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.

  • 2 Chronicles 12:12

    And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy [him] altogether: and also in Judah things went well.

  • Lamentations 2:7

    The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast.
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