Psalm 89 37

Psalm 89:37 kjv

It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

Psalm 89:37 nkjv

It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky." Selah

Psalm 89:37 niv

it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky."

Psalm 89:37 esv

Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies." Selah

Psalm 89:37 nlt

It will be as eternal as the moon,
my faithful witness in the sky!" Interlude

Psalm 89 verses

Psalm 89 37 Meaning

Psalm 89:37 affirms the everlasting and unchangeable nature of God's covenant with David and his lineage, particularly concerning the stability of the Davidic throne. It compares the covenant's endurance and reliability to the consistent presence and fidelity of the moon in the sky, describing it as an eternally established, trustworthy, and visible witness to God's steadfast promise. This imagery emphasizes divine faithfulness and the perpetual decree.

Psalm 89 37 Context

Psalm 89 is a Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. It opens with praise for God's steadfast love and faithfulness (vv. 1-18), recounting His mighty deeds and unique attributes. The psalm then transitions to a detailed declaration of God's covenant oath to David (vv. 19-37), which promised an eternal dynasty, an enduring throne, and a never-failing covenant, even if David's descendants sinned. This section heavily emphasizes God's fidelity, the inviolability of His word, and the certainty of His promise. Verse 37 specifically concludes this declarative part of the psalm, serving as the capstone of the divine oath concerning the enduring nature of David's throne. However, immediately following this verse (vv. 38-51), the psalmist expresses a lament, detailing how God appears to have broken His covenant, seemingly abandoning the Davidic king and dynasty in a time of national distress, likely during a period of defeat, exile, or dynastic upheaval. The stark contrast between God's magnificent promises and the harsh contemporary reality underscores the psalmist's deep struggle and profound questioning. Thus, verse 37 stands as a powerful reminder of God's solemn and irreversible commitment, setting the stage for the intense theological tension and petition that follow. The historical context roots the Davidic covenant in God's promises to King David in 2 Samuel 7.

Psalm 89 37 Word analysis

• It shall be established: יִכּוֹן (yikkōn). This is the Niphal imperfect form of the verb כּוּן (kûn), meaning "to be set up, to be firm, to be prepared, to be established." The Niphal stem denotes a passive or reflexive action, implying that this establishment is a divine act, not dependent on human effort. It refers back to David's throne and lineage mentioned in prior verses (v.29, v.36). It signifies stability, permanence, and enduring foundation.

• forever: לְעוֹלָם (lə‘ôlām). A prepositional phrase meaning "to eternity, forever, perpetual." This term emphasizes absolute and endless duration, reinforcing the idea of an unchangeable and everlasting covenant, free from any temporal limits.

• as the moon: כְּיָרֵחַ (kəyārēaḥ). The Hebrew word is יָרֵחַ (yārēaḥ) for "moon," prefixed by כְּ (kə), meaning "like" or "as." The moon, despite its phases, is consistently present in the night sky and cycles reliably. In the ancient world, it was seen as a symbol of steadfastness and predictability due to its unchanging celestial orbit and continuous re-appearance. Its visibility and apparent eternality in the heavens made it a powerful metaphor for something truly enduring.

• And as the faithful witness: וְעֵד נֶאֱמָן (wə‘ēd ne’ĕmān).

  • וְ (wə): "And," linking this simile to the previous one.
  • עֵד (ʿēd): "Witness," signifying a testament, a sign, something that confirms truth. Here it speaks to the irrefutable evidence or testimony of God's promise.
  • נֶאֱמָן (ne’ĕmān): "Faithful, reliable, trustworthy." This adjective emphasizes the complete dependability of the witness. It is the Niphal participle of the verb אָמַן (ʾāman), which is the root of "amen" and implies firm assurance and unwavering loyalty.
  • This "faithful witness" is often interpreted as the moon itself, drawing on the continuous appearance of the moon as a faithful testament to God's cosmic order and covenant keeping. It could also refer to the ordered cosmos as a whole, or even to God Himself, whose creation serves as a testimony to His attributes. However, the direct parallel with "the moon" strongly suggests the moon embodies this "faithful witness."

• in the sky: בַּשַּׁחַק (baššḥaq).

  • בַּ (ba): A contraction of the preposition בְּ (bə), "in" or "on."
  • שַּׁחַק (šḥaq): "Sky, clouds, ether, heavens." This refers to the expanse where celestial bodies reside, implying an elevated, universal, and publicly visible testimony. Its unchanging location in the heavens highlights its enduring testimony for all to observe.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "It shall be established forever as the moon": This phrase asserts the enduring nature of God's promise to David's throne by drawing a parallel with the visible, regular, and seemingly everlasting presence of the moon. It emphasizes divine steadfastness.
  • "And as the faithful witness in the sky": This second part functions as a reiteration and intensification of the first. The moon (or celestial order) is not just consistently present, but it actively witnesses or testifies to the truth of God's covenant, its dependability shining forth visibly from the heavens. This adds a layer of irrefutable validation to the promise. Together, these similes underscore God's complete control over creation and His absolute commitment to His word, utilizing the stability of the natural world as an emblem for His unchanging decree.

Psalm 89 37 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "faithful" (נֶאֱמָן, ne'ĕmān) is derived from the root אָמַן (ʾāman), which conveys ideas of stability, certainty, and reliability. This is the same root from which we get "Amen," signifying "so be it" or "it is firm/true." Its use here emphatically highlights the truthfulness and dependability of the "witness."

This verse, alongside others like Jeremiah 31:35-37 and 33:20-21, showcases a theological concept where the stability of God's covenant is explicitly linked to the stability of the natural order that He Himself established. If one were to doubt God's promises to Israel or David, one might as well doubt the regular cycle of day and night or the phases of the moon. This comparison underscores the profound certainty of His word.

The reference to "Ethan the Ezrahite" as the psalmist's author suggests wisdom and a priestly or Levitical background (see 1 Kgs 4:31). This further elevates the authority of the lament and affirmation within the psalm, as it comes from one recognized for spiritual insight and understanding of God's ways.

While not a direct polemic, the imagery here subtly challenges any pagan beliefs that attributed independent divinity or unpredictable influence to the moon or other celestial bodies. By stating the moon is a "faithful witness" in the sky, under God's ultimate decree and serving as a testimony to His covenant, the psalmist firmly places all creation, including the luminaries, under the sovereignty of the Lord. The moon is not an object of worship but an instrument illustrating God's unyielding promise.

Psalm 89 37 Commentary

Psalm 89:37 profoundly anchors the divine covenant with David in the very fabric of creation, using two vivid similes: the moon and a faithful witness in the sky. God's declaration that the Davidic covenant "shall be established forever as the moon" powerfully illustrates its intended perpetuity and unwavering nature. Just as the moon reliably cycles through the heavens, a constant fixture of the night, so too is God's oath to maintain David's lineage and throne intended to be unfailing and predictable. The further designation of this entity (likely the moon itself, or the consistent celestial order) as "the faithful witness in the sky" amplifies the concept of reliability. A witness provides verifiable evidence; in this case, the regular appearance and existence of the moon serve as a continuous, visible testimony to God's unwavering commitment to His word. This celestial witness operates under God's unchanging decree, showcasing His mastery over both creation and covenant.

The verse stands as a testament to God's attribute of immutability and fidelity (Ps 89:34-35). Even in the face of human failings or perceived covenantal breakdown (as highlighted later in the psalm), God's original oath is depicted as irrevocably bound, akin to the fixed laws of the cosmos. This points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant in Jesus Christ (Lk 1:32-33; Rom 1:3), whose kingdom is indeed without end and whose testimony is eternally faithful (Rev 1:5; 3:14). It reassures believers that though earthly circumstances may falter, the promises of God, particularly those pertaining to His Son, are as certain as the moon in the night sky. For believers today, this means trust in God's promises should be unwavering, seeing His consistency reflected in the cosmos, understanding that what He has spoken will surely come to pass.