Psalm 89 19

Psalm 89:19 kjv

Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

Psalm 89:19 nkjv

Then You spoke in a vision to Your holy one, And said: "I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.

Psalm 89:19 niv

Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful people you said: "I have bestowed strength on a warrior; I have raised up a young man from among the people.

Psalm 89:19 esv

Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said: "I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.

Psalm 89:19 nlt

Long ago you spoke in a vision to your faithful people.
You said, "I have raised up a warrior.
I have selected him from the common people to be king.

Psalm 89 verses

Psalm 89 19 Meaning

Psalm 89:19 declares God's revelation of His plan to establish and empower a mighty, chosen leader from His people. This divine communication, received in a vision by His faithful servants, outlines God's sovereign decision to appoint one who would receive divine aid and be elevated to a position of strength and prominence. This chosen one is understood primarily as David in the historical context, yet his appointment bears prophetic weight, pointing forward to the ultimate Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 89 19 Context

Psalm 89 is a lamenting Maskil (instructive psalm) of Ethan the Ezrahite. The first part (verses 1-18) extols God's absolute faithfulness, power, and covenant loyalty, particularly drawing upon creation accounts and God's triumph over chaos. Verses 19-37 shift focus to God's specific covenant with David (echoing 2 Samuel 7), recounting God's glorious promises of an enduring kingdom and a chosen lineage. Psalm 89:19 introduces this foundational divine promise as a vision revealed to a faithful one. It serves as the bedrock upon which the subsequent promises concerning the Davidic dynasty are built. The remainder of the psalm (verses 38-52) then contrasts these glorious promises with the current distressing reality of David's (or his descendant's) kingdom seemingly in ruins, questioning God's faithfulness amidst national crisis. This specific verse (89:19) thus highlights the secure and foundational nature of God's initial prophetic declaration concerning His chosen king, making the subsequent lament even more profound due to the stark contrast between promise and present predicament. Historically, the verse points back to the prophet Nathan delivering God's message to David, affirming God's direct intervention in Israel's leadership.

Psalm 89 19 Word analysis

• Then (אָז - 'az): This temporal adverb indicates a specific past moment, a time when God took action or spoke definitively. It suggests the establishment of a foundational event, distinguishing God's revelation from general principles.
• you spoke (דִּבַּרְתָּ - dibbarta): This is the Qal perfect form of the verb "davar," meaning "to speak, to command." It denotes a direct, authoritative, and completed act of divine communication, emphasizing that God initiated and performed the action of speaking.
• in a vision (בְּחָזוֹן - b'chazon): "Chazon" refers to a prophetic revelation, often seen or perceived in a trance or dream-like state (e.g., in Numbers 12:6, God communicates through visions). It signifies a direct, unmediated divine encounter or message, confirming the truthfulness and divine origin of the content.
• to your faithful one(s) (לַחֲסִידֶיךָ - laḥasīdeykā): This Hebrew term is plural ("your loyal ones" or "your godly ones"). While many English translations interpret it singularly as a specific prophet like Nathan (2 Samuel 7) or Samuel (1 Samuel 16), or even David himself, the plural form indicates a general category of individuals devoted to God and entrusted with His revelations. It underscores that God communicates His purposes through those who are loyal and holy to Him, signifying a covenant relationship.
• and said (וַתֹּאמֶר - wattomer): A consecutive perfect verb ("and you said"). It follows "you spoke," reinforcing the direct nature of God's articulated message, indicating the content of the vision.
• I have set help (שַׁוִּיתִי עֵזֶר - shawwîtî 'ezer): "Shawwiti" means "I have placed," "I have appointed," "I have established." "Ezer" means "help," "support," "succour." This phrase emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in actively providing strong and sufficient support. The help is divinely installed and permanent.
• upon one who is mighty (עַל־גִּבּוֹר - ‘al-gibbor): "Gibbor" means a "strong one," a "mighty warrior," a "hero." This signifies the recipient of God's help is a person of inherent strength, often a military leader or king, whom God further empowers. Historically, this clearly refers to David, known for his prowess as a warrior. The messianic application points to Christ as the ultimate mighty deliverer.
• I have exalted (הֲרִימוֹתִי - hărîmōtî): From "rum," meaning "to lift up," "to raise," "to exalt," "to make high." This describes God's action of elevating the chosen individual to a position of prominence, honor, and authority. It denotes divine empowerment and promotion.
• one chosen (בָּחוּר - baḥûr): This term means "chosen one," "selected," often referring to a choice young man or select warrior. It highlights God's specific, deliberate election, not based on human merit but on divine purpose. It conveys both divine selection and inherent vigor.
• from the people (מֵעָם - me‘am): This specifies the origin of the chosen one – "from among the people," rather than from nobility or a foreign power. It stresses that God selected an individual from within the community of Israel, making the chosen leader relatable yet divinely appointed. This emphasizes the organic connection of the king to his people, highlighting God's identification with His community.

Words-Group analysis

• "Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one(s)": This phrase establishes the source (God), the medium (vision), and the recipient(s) (God's loyal servants) of this momentous divine revelation. It highlights the divine initiative and authority behind the message about the Davidic covenant.
• "I have set help upon one who is mighty": This declaration reveals the first aspect of God's divine provision for His chosen leader. God actively installs strength and assistance directly upon the "mighty one" (David, ultimately Christ), demonstrating divine backing for their powerful endeavors and battles.
• "I have exalted one chosen from the people": This phrase completes God's two-fold promise concerning the selected leader. It signifies God's deliberate act of elevating an individual (David/Messiah) from humble origins within the common people, signifying His sovereign choice and establishment of human leadership for His divine purposes, contrasting with human systems of succession or self-exaltation.

Psalm 89 19 Bonus section

The phrase "to your faithful one(s)" (לַחֲסִידֶיךָ - laḥasīdeykā) being plural in the Hebrew text offers a fascinating point for contemplation. While the context strongly points to a singular figure like Nathan delivering the message, the plural might signify a collective prophetic consciousness or perhaps refer to David himself, viewing him as one among God's devoted ones. Alternatively, it may indicate that such revelatory visions are granted not to just one isolated individual, but through the wider community of God's loyal servants who carry forth His message across generations. This emphasizes that divine communication is deeply rooted in relationship with God's loyal covenant people. Furthermore, the selection "from the people" is significant, implying a king who arises from and identifies with the very people he governs, as opposed to a foreign or aloof ruler. This prefigures the Lord Jesus Christ, who, though divine, took on human flesh and dwelt "among" His people (John 1:14), being both truly God and truly one of us.

Psalm 89 19 Commentary

Psalm 89:19 introduces the central theme of God's covenant faithfulness through His anointed king. The verse initiates a recital of the Davidic covenant by emphasizing its divine origin and revelation. God did not merely choose a king, but He supernaturally communicated this choice and plan to His faithful servants through a prophetic vision. This highlights the weight and certainty of the ensuing promises. The "mighty one" and "chosen from the people" directly point to David, whose military prowess and humble origins were transformed by God's favor (1 Sam 16, 2 Sam 7). God's "setting help" and "exalting" emphasize His active role in empowering and positioning David. This wasn't merely David's strength or leadership skill; it was God's direct enablement and elevation. Theologically, this verse sets the stage for understanding that true, enduring help and exaltation come only from God. It serves as a foundational promise within the Davidic covenant that finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Son of David, who is both mighty and chosen, and uniquely set apart by God for the salvation of His people and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The historical promise to David casts a shadow forward to the greater Anointed One.