Psalm 89 33

Psalm 89:33 kjv

Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

Psalm 89:33 nkjv

Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail.

Psalm 89:33 niv

but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.

Psalm 89:33 esv

but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness.

Psalm 89:33 nlt

But I will never stop loving him
nor fail to keep my promise to him.

Psalm 89 verses

Psalm 89 33 Meaning

Psalm 89:33 proclaims a foundational aspect of God's covenant relationship: despite the failures and sins of His covenant partner, He will not entirely remove His faithful, covenantal love (ḥesed) nor allow His unwavering loyalty (ʾĕmûnāh) to cease. It emphasizes divine steadfastness and faithfulness even in the face of human unfaithfulness, ensuring that chastisement will not equate to rejection or abandonment of His eternal promises.

Psalm 89 33 Context

Psalm 89 is a communal lament, rich with theological reflection. The psalm begins by exalting God's steadfast love and faithfulness (vv. 1-18), recalling His mighty acts and supreme kingship. It then shifts to a pivotal section, recounting the divine covenant made with David, specifically through Nathan (vv. 19-37), which promised an eternal dynasty. Verse 33 falls within this covenant articulation, where God assures that even if David's descendants sin and incur divine discipline (vv. 30-32), He will not withdraw His fundamental covenant love. This divine pledge is starkly contrasted by the psalmist's deep lament in the latter half (vv. 38-51), where he portrays the apparent failure of this covenant in light of national humiliation and defeat, urging God to remember His promise. Historically, this psalm reflects the challenges faced by the Davidic line or kingdom, perhaps during a period of national distress or exile, forcing reflection on the apparent paradox between God's unchanging promises and present suffering.

Psalm 89 33 Word analysis

• But: Hebrew ʾak (אַךְ) - Functions as an adversative or emphatic particle, highlighting a strong contrast. Here, it contrasts divine punishment (vv. 30-32) with divine steadfastness, signaling a limit to God's disciplinary actions.
• I will not: Hebrew lōʾ (לֹא) - A strong negative particle, expressing absolute negation. This is an unbreakable divine declaration.
• utterly take: Hebrew ʾasîr (אָסִיר) from the root sûr (סוּר), meaning "to turn aside," "remove," "depart." In the Hiphil (causative) stem, it means "to cause to depart" or "to remove." The idea is total or complete removal, which God pledges He will not do. It carries a sense of permanent, irreversible withdrawal.
• my lovingkindness: Hebrew ḥasdî (חַסְדִּי) - The highly significant term ḥesed (חֶסֶד), denoting covenantal loyalty, steadfast love, mercy, or devotion. It's not mere sentiment but an active, faithful commitment born out of a relationship, specifically God's covenant with David. The suffix '-i' indicates "My."
• from him: Refers to the "anointed one," the Davidic king and his lineage (see v. 20, 21, 28, 29). It signifies the direct beneficiary of God's enduring covenant.
• nor suffer: Hebrew loʾ (לֹא) again, with an intensive negative construction (ʾaʾašaqqēr). The repeated negation underscores the certainty of the promise. "Suffer" here means "allow" or "permit."
• my faithfulness: Hebrew ʾĕmûnāh (אֱמוּנָה) - Derived from the root ʾāman (אָמַן), meaning "to be firm," "steady," "trustworthy." ʾEmûnāh conveys dependability, trustworthiness, loyalty, and fidelity. It describes God's inherent nature to fulfill His word and uphold His covenant promises.
• to fail: Hebrew šaḳqēr (שַׁקֵּר) - from the root šāqar (שָׁקַר), meaning "to act falsely," "deal falsely," "lie," or "betray." In the Hiphil, it means "to make false" or "to prove untrue," "disappoint." God vows never to act falsely concerning His fidelity or allow His truth to be compromised.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But I will not utterly take my lovingkindness from him": This phrase establishes the inviolable nature of God's covenantal commitment. Despite human unfaithfulness, God’s ḥesed (steadfast love) remains. This ḥesed is distinct from temporary expressions of favor that might be withdrawn (as with Saul in 2 Sam 7:15). It highlights God’s inherent covenant-keeping character. It signifies that divine chastisement is for restoration, not obliteration.
• "nor suffer my faithfulness to fail": This second parallel clause reinforces the first, deepening the promise by grounding it in God’s very nature. His ʾĕmûnāh (faithfulness) means His promises are reliable and will not be found false. God’s Word cannot contradict His being. This underscores divine immutability in fulfilling promises, providing absolute assurance against the anxieties that might arise from human sin or suffering.

Psalm 89 33 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates the concept of God's sovereign preservation of His covenant, even through human failure. It highlights a critical theological principle: God’s grace is active not just in initiating a covenant but also in sustaining it through generations, particularly when humanity falls short. The tension in Psalm 89, between this verse's affirmation and the later lament of the psalmist, perfectly illustrates the journey of faith: clinging to God's immutable promises even when circumstances appear to contradict them. This promise of steadfast hesed is the basis for New Testament theology concerning the eternal security of believers and the unwavering foundation of the Church, built upon the Christ who is the fulfillment of this Davidic promise. God remains faithful even when His people are not, preserving His own character and word.

Psalm 89 33 Commentary

Psalm 89:33 is a cornerstone of covenant theology, powerfully articulating the unchangeable nature of God's covenant with David. It posits a critical distinction between divine discipline and divine abandonment. God acknowledges that David's descendants may falter and incur deserved consequences (vv. 30-32). However, His reaction is not a nullification of His original promise. Instead, He affirms that His ḥesed, His unwavering covenantal love, will never be utterly removed. This is unlike His treatment of King Saul, whose kingdom was entirely taken away (2 Sam 7:15). For David's line, punishment will be meted out "with the rod" and "with blows" (Ps 89:32), which signifies correction, not outright rejection.

Moreover, the verse assures that God's ʾĕmûnāh, His very faithfulness and reliability, will not be allowed to fail or be disproved. This signifies that God’s integrity is bound up in His promises. If His promises could fail, God Himself would be deemed unfaithful, which is impossible (2 Tim 2:13). This is a divine self-limitation rooted in His holy character: He cannot contradict Himself or deny His covenant commitments. The verse, therefore, offers a profound source of hope and security, guaranteeing the perpetuity of the Davidic dynasty—a promise that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of David, whose kingdom is without end. The verse reminds believers that while sin brings consequences, it cannot sever the fundamental, unbreakable bond of God’s love and faithfulness to those with whom He is in covenant.