Psalms 89:46

KJV

How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?

KJV (with Strong's)

How long, LORD {H3068}? wilt thou hide {H5641}{H8735)} thyself for ever {H5331}? shall thy wrath {H2534} burn {H1197}{H8799)} like fire {H784}?

Complete Jewish Bible

How long, ADONAI? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your fury burn like fire?

Berean Standard Bible

How long, O LORD? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath keep burning like fire?

American Standard Version

How long, O Jehovah? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? How longshall thy wrath burn like fire?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 89:46 presents a profound and urgent lament from the psalmist, Ethan the Ezrahite, addressing God with a series of desperate rhetorical questions. It is a raw expression of the tension between God's unwavering covenant promises to David and the present reality of national devastation and perceived divine abandonment. The verse encapsulates a cry for divine intervention, questioning the duration of God's apparent withdrawal and the intensity of His consuming wrath, reflecting a deep spiritual anguish amidst severe hardship and a profound theological crisis.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 89 is a masterful composition, dramatically structured to highlight a profound theological tension. It begins with a magnificent and extensive hymn (verses 1-37) celebrating God's steadfast love (hesed), His faithfulness, and His eternal covenant with David, promising an everlasting dynasty and throne (e.g., [Psalms 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3-4 "Psalms 89:3-4 - God's Covenant with David")). This initial section establishes a high theological foundation, praising God's incomparable power and unwavering commitment. However, the psalm undergoes a stark and anguished shift from verse 38 onwards, transitioning into a deeply mournful lament. This latter section, where verse 46 is situated, expresses profound distress over the apparent collapse of the Davidic monarchy, the humiliation of the king, and the suffering of the nation, which seems to directly contradict the very promises celebrated earlier. The psalmist grapples with this stark dissonance, creating a powerful theological crisis that frames the desperate questions of the lament. The preceding verses detail the king's defeat and the nation's disgrace, setting the immediate and painful stage for the psalmist's urgent cry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical backdrop for Psalm 89 is not explicitly stated, scholarly consensus often points to a period of severe national crisis for Judah, such as a major military defeat, an invasion, or even the Babylonian exile. The vivid language of humiliation, defeat, and the apparent breaking of the Davidic covenant (e.g., [Psalms 89:38-45](/psalms/89-38-45 "Psalms 89:38-45 - God's Apparent Rejection of His Anointed")) strongly suggests a time when the Davidic monarchy's stability was profoundly threatened or shattered. Culturally, the covenant with David (found in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant")) was central to Israelite identity, national hope, and theological understanding, promising divine protection and an enduring lineage. The perceived failure of this covenant, through national disaster, would have been a catastrophic theological crisis, challenging the very understanding of God's faithfulness and His relationship with His chosen people. The concept of divine wrath burning like fire was a common biblical metaphor for God's intense judgment against sin, often manifested in tangible calamities like war, famine, or plague (e.g., [Deuteronomy 4:24](/deuteronomy/4-24 "Deuteronomy 4:24 - God as a Consuming Fire") or [Isaiah 5:25](/isaiah/5-25 "Isaiah 5:25 - God's Anger Burns")).
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Psalm 89:46 is **Lament and Desperation**, powerfully conveyed through the repeated rhetorical question, "How long, LORD?" This phrase, a hallmark of psalms of lament (e.g., [Psalms 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalms 13:1 - A Cry of Lament")), signifies a prolonged period of suffering and an urgent yearning for an end to distress. Another prominent theme is **Perceived Divine Absence**, expressed by the anguished question, "wilt thou hide thyself for ever?" This reflects the painful experience of feeling abandoned by God, as if He has turned His face away from His people in their time of desperate need. The final question, "shall thy wrath burn like fire?", introduces the theme of **Divine Wrath and Judgment**, depicting God's anger as a consuming, devastating force that brings prolonged suffering. This imagery underscores the psalmist's belief that their current crisis is a direct manifestation of God's intense displeasure. Underlying all these is the profound **Tension Between Covenant Promises and Present Reality**, where the psalmist grapples with how God's unfailing promises to David can coexist with the apparent downfall of the kingdom and the severe national suffering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred personal name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh, signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal." Its use here, in a direct address within a lament, highlights the psalmist's deep personal relationship with God, even amidst profound questioning. Despite the perceived divine absence and wrath, the psalmist still appeals to the covenant-keeping God who is eternally faithful, emphasizing that the cry is directed to the one true sovereign.
* **hide (Hebrew, _çâthar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively." When applied to God in this context, it describes the painful human experience of divine withdrawal or abandonment. It does not imply God is literally concealed, but rather that His presence, favor, and intervention are no longer perceived or felt by the suffering individual or community. This perceived absence is often as agonizing as active judgment, leading to feelings of isolation, despair, and a sense of being forsaken.
* **wrath (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "heat," this word figuratively denotes intense anger, fury, or hot displeasure. In biblical usage, divine _chêmâh_ is often associated with God's righteous judgment against sin, manifesting in destructive consequences. The psalmist's use of this term, coupled with the imagery of fire, underscores the severity and consuming nature of the divine displeasure they believe they are experiencing, bringing devastating national suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How long, LORD?":** This opening phrase is a direct, urgent, and emotionally charged address to God. It signals a deep and prolonged period of suffering, expressing the psalmist's exhaustion, impatience, and profound anguish. It is a desperate plea for God to intervene and bring an end to the current crisis, implicitly questioning why God has allowed the suffering to persist for so long without apparent relief.
* **"wilt thou hide thyself for ever?":** This rhetorical question amplifies the psalmist's anguish, conveying a profound sense of divine abandonment and desolation. The psalmist feels that God has withdrawn His presence, His favor, and His protective hand, leaving them vulnerable and without hope. The addition of "for ever" expresses a terrifying fear that this state of perceived divine absence is not temporary but permanent, deepening the despair and challenging the very nature of God's covenant faithfulness and His commitment to His people.
* **"shall thy wrath burn like fire?":** This final rhetorical question uses powerful and vivid imagery to describe the intensity and destructive nature of God's perceived judgment. The metaphor of "fire" emphasizes the consuming, purifying, and devastating effects of divine wrath, which the psalmist believes is currently being experienced by the nation. It highlights the severity of their suffering, attributing it directly to God's active displeasure, and questions whether this intense, destructive judgment will continue indefinitely, threatening their very existence.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 89:46 masterfully employs several **rhetorical questions** to convey the psalmist's deep anguish, frustration, and desperate plea for divine action. These questions are not seeking information but are powerful expressions of lament and an urgent appeal to God's character. The phrase "How long, LORD?" is a classic example of **apostrophe**, a direct and impassioned address to God, emphasizing the personal and intense nature of the psalmist's plea. The verse also uses powerful **metaphor** in "shall thy wrath burn like fire," equating God's anger to a consuming flame, which vividly emphasizes its destructive, purifying, and overwhelming power. This imagery creates a strong emotional impact, communicating the intensity of the suffering experienced. Furthermore, the concept of God "hiding Himself" is an instance of **anthropomorphism**, attributing human actions or characteristics (concealment) to God, reflecting the human experience of feeling abandoned and longing for His perceived presence and intervention. The entire verse functions as a concise yet potent **lament**, a recognized biblical genre characterized by a cry to God, a description of suffering, a complaint, an expression of trust, and a petition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 89:46 stands as a powerful testament to the biblical tradition of lament, demonstrating that honest, even challenging, questioning of God is a legitimate and vital component of a robust faith. It grapples with the profound tension between God's unchanging character and covenant promises (His _hesed_, or steadfast love) and the often-painful realities of human experience, particularly when divine judgment or apparent absence is perceived. The psalmist's raw cry acknowledges God's sovereignty even in His perceived wrath and withdrawal, appealing to His character for intervention. This verse underscores the enduring truth that God is capable of handling the rawest human emotions and doubts, inviting believers to bring their deepest struggles before Him, trusting that His ultimate faithfulness will prevail, even when circumstances seem to contradict it. It highlights the mystery of divine providence and the need for persistent faith amidst incomprehensible suffering, affirming that true faith can endure the wrestling with God.

* [Psalms 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalms 13:1-2 - How Long, O Lord?")
* [Habakkuk 1:2](/habakkuk/1-2 "Habakkuk 1:2 - Habakkuk's Complaint")
* [Lamentations 5:20](/lamentations/5-20 "Lamentations 5:20 - Why Do You Forget Us Forever?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 89:46 offers profound solace and permission for believers navigating seasons of prolonged suffering, confusion, or perceived divine silence. It validates the human experience of doubt and despair, assuring us that it is not a sign of weak faith to cry out to God with "How long?" or to question His apparent withdrawal. The psalmist's raw honesty encourages us to bring our unfiltered emotions, our deepest questions, and our most agonizing fears directly before the Lord. In a world that often pressures us to maintain a facade of constant strength and unwavering certainty, this verse reminds us that true faith includes the wrestling, the lament, and the persistent appeal to God's character, even when His ways seem inscrutable. It teaches us to lean into the tension between God's promises and our present pain, trusting that He hears our cries and that His faithfulness, though sometimes delayed from our perspective, ultimately endures beyond our comprehension. This psalm invites us to cultivate a faith that is resilient enough to question, yet anchored enough to persist in prayer, knowing that God is big enough for our doubts and compassionate enough for our tears, and that He will ultimately reveal His steadfast love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently asking, "How long, LORD?"**
* **How do you typically respond when you feel God is "hiding Himself" or when His intervention seems delayed?**
* **What does this psalm teach you about the nature of honest prayer and bringing your complaints before God?**
* **How can you reconcile God's unchanging promises with the difficult realities you may be facing today?**

### FAQ
**Is it wrong to question God or express anger towards Him, as the psalmist does here?**

Answer: No, it is not wrong. Psalms 89:46, along with many other psalms of lament (e.g., [Psalms 22](/psalms/22 "Psalms 22 - A Psalm of Suffering and Praise")), demonstrates that the biblical tradition embraces honest and raw expressions of human emotion, including questioning God, expressing frustration, and even anger. These laments are not expressions of unbelief but rather profound acts of faith. The psalmist, despite feeling abandoned and experiencing God's wrath, still addresses God directly, indicating a fundamental belief in His existence, His power, and His ultimate ability to intervene. This act of bringing one's deepest struggles to God, rather than turning away from Him, is a testament to the intimacy and authenticity of the covenant relationship. It shows that God is big enough to handle our doubts and emotions, inviting us into a relationship where we can be fully transparent with Him, trusting that He hears and cares.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 89:46, with its poignant cry of "How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?", finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the absence of suffering, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the tension between divine promise and human experience. While the psalmist laments God's perceived wrath and hiddenness, Jesus, on the cross, experienced the full weight of God's wrath against sin, crying out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" This cry from [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction") (also recorded in [Mark 15:34](/mark/15-34 "Mark 15:34 - Jesus' Cry on the Cross")) echoes the very lament of Psalm 89 and other psalms, demonstrating that Christ himself entered into the deepest human experience of abandonment and divine judgment. He did not hide from God's wrath but fully absorbed it, becoming the ultimate sacrifice for sin, thereby turning God's wrath away from those who believe in Him (e.g., [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justified by His Blood") and [1 Thessalonians 1:10](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Jesus Delivers from Wrath")). Through His suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus became the faithful Davidic King whose throne is truly everlasting, fulfilling the covenant promises of [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant") in a way that no earthly king could. Thus, the lament of Psalm 89:46, while expressing deep human pain, ultimately points to the One who bore that pain and, in doing so, secured an eternal hope where God will never again hide His face from His redeemed people, but will dwell with them forever (e.g., [Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3-4 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People")).

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 79:5

How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

Psalms 78:63

The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.

Psalms 88:14

LORD, why castest thou off my soul? [why] hidest thou thy face from me?

Psalms 90:13

Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

Isaiah 45:15

Verily thou [art] a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

Psalms 85:5

Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?

Hebrews 12:29

For our God [is] a consuming fire.