Psalm 89 30

Psalm 89:30 kjv

If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;

Psalm 89:30 nkjv

"If his sons forsake My law And do not walk in My judgments,

Psalm 89:30 niv

"If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes,

Psalm 89:30 esv

If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules,

Psalm 89:30 nlt

But if his descendants forsake my instructions
and fail to obey my regulations,

Psalm 89 verses

Psalm 89 30 Meaning

Psalm 89:30 declares a conditional premise within God's covenant with David: if David's descendants turn away from divine instruction and righteous living. This verse sets the stage for understanding that while God's foundational promise to David is unwavering, there would be consequences and discipline for any disobedience found within the royal lineage. It highlights the principle of accountability to God's revealed will for all, even those within a chosen covenant line.

Psalm 89 30 Context

Psalm 89 is a prayer of lament by Ethan the Ezrahite, framed within the historical and theological significance of God's covenant with David. The first part of the psalm (verses 1-37) is a celebration and declaration of God's faithfulness and the steadfastness of the Davidic Covenant as established in 2 Samuel 7. Verses 30-37 specifically articulate the terms of this covenant related to potential disobedience within David's royal lineage. It states that even if David's descendants should deviate from God's Law, God's essential promise of an enduring dynasty will remain, although divine discipline will ensue. This sets the stage for the dramatic shift in the latter half of the psalm (verses 38-51), where Ethan laments the current plight of the Davidic dynasty, which appears to contradict the very promises just recited, culminating in a plea for God to remember His covenant. The specific mention of "his children" underscores the generational aspect of the covenant, extending David's responsibilities to his successors.

Psalm 89 30 Word analysis

• If (אִם - 'im): This Hebrew particle introduces a conditional clause. It implies a possibility or a hypothetical situation. Here, it indicates that while David's line is promised to endure, its individual members could choose to disobey, triggering the stipulated divine response rather than nullifying the covenant itself.
• his children (בָּנָיו - banayv): Refers to David's direct descendants, the royal lineage. This highlights the dynastic and generational aspect of the Davidic Covenant. It's not just about David, but his ongoing line, emphasizing corporate and individual responsibility within that chosen family.
• forsake (יַעַזְבוּ - ya'azvu): This verb means to abandon, leave, or cease to uphold. It denotes a deliberate and active turning away from a relationship or duty. It's a stronger word than merely stumbling or making a mistake; it suggests a sustained departure or rejection.
• My law (תּוֹרָתִי - torati): Torah originates from a root meaning "to teach" or "to instruct." It refers to God's divine instruction, guidance, and revealed will, encompassing principles, statutes, and commands given by Him. The possessive "My" emphasizes God as the divine Lawgiver and authority.
• and do not walk (וְלֹא יֵלְכוּ - vĕlo yelḵu): "Walk" (הָלַךְ - halak) is a common biblical metaphor for one's way of life, conduct, or behavior. "Do not walk" signifies a failure to live in accordance with God's standards and principles; it describes practical disobedience rather than just intellectual abandonment.
• in My judgments (בְּמִשְׁפָּטַי - bĕmishpaṭay): Mishpatim refers to God's ordinances, decrees, and just rulings. These are the specific applications and expressions of God's torah in the affairs of life. "My" reiterates their divine origin and authority.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "If his children forsake My law": This phrase sets forth the primary condition: a deliberate turning away by David's successors from God's overall divine instruction. It specifies the "what" of their potential disobedience.
  • "and do not walk in My judgments": This complements the first phrase by defining the "how" of their disobedience – a failure to embody and practice God's righteous decrees in their daily lives. The coupling of "law" and "judgments" emphasizes a comprehensive abandonment, affecting both abstract understanding and concrete actions.

Psalm 89 30 Bonus section

The tension presented in Psalm 89:30, between the unconditional promise to David (Ps 89:3-4, 34-37) and the conditional aspect tied to his descendants' obedience, is a central theological theme. It reveals that while salvation and the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan (the King from David's line) rest solely on His grace and unchangeable word, the immediate blessings, peace, and security of the people or a ruler's reign were tied to their responsive obedience. This interplay underscores that God's discipline is not rejection but rather a fatherly correction, a consequence of sin intended to bring about repentance and realignment with His ways. The "forsaking" and "not walking" signify a rejection of the covenant terms and relationship with the divine Lawgiver, inviting chastisement, much like a loving parent corrects a disobedient child (Prov 3:11-12, Heb 12:5-8). This very tension points to the necessity of Christ, the only true Davidic heir who perfectly fulfilled all of God's Law, providing the ultimate resolution to human sinfulness and securing God's covenant promises eternally.

Psalm 89 30 Commentary

Psalm 89:30 is a critical verse for understanding the dynamics of the Davidic Covenant, demonstrating God's sovereign design within the context of human free will and responsibility. It articulates that God's covenant with David, while unconditionally promising an eternal dynasty, contained provisions for discipline based on the obedience or disobedience of David's descendants. It clarifies that deviation from God's divine instruction (His Torah) and failure to live righteously according to His ordinances (Mishpatim) would incur consequences, though not the utter termination of the promise. This serves to uphold God's holiness, showing that He is faithful to His word yet also righteous in judgment. The passage reassures that while individual generations or kings might fail, the ultimate purpose of the covenant, pointing towards a perfectly obedient Son who would truly sit on David's throne, would prevail. It provides a theological framework to understand the varying fortunes of the kings of Judah and points forward to Christ, the true Son of David who perfectly fulfills every aspect of God's Law and judgments without forsaking them.