Psalm 89 5

Psalm 89:5 kjv

And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

Psalm 89:5 nkjv

And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints.

Psalm 89:5 niv

The heavens praise your wonders, LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.

Psalm 89:5 esv

Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!

Psalm 89:5 nlt

All heaven will praise your great wonders, LORD;
myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness.

Psalm 89 verses

Psalm 89 5 Meaning

Psalm 89:5 declares that the heavens themselves offer praise to God's miraculous deeds, and His unwavering faithfulness is acclaimed within the assembly of heavenly beings or holy ones. It establishes a grand, universal chorus of adoration for God's incredible acts and steadfast character, originating from the highest spiritual realms.

Psalm 89 5 Context

Psalm 89 is a Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite, a wisdom psalm addressing themes of covenant and faithfulness. It begins with profound declarations of God's steadfast love (ḥesed) and faithfulness ('ĕmûnâ), particularly as seen in His covenant with David. Verses 1-4 establish God's eternal nature and His oath to David, setting up a sharp contrast with the apparent failure of the Davidic monarchy later in the psalm. Verse 5 functions as a prelude, affirming that God's wonders and faithfulness are so vast they are praised by the highest orders of creation and heavenly beings, grounding the psalm in a universal testimony to God's unparalleled greatness before the human lament and struggle with His covenant begin. Historically, this psalm likely originates from a period of great national distress, possibly after the destruction of the temple or during an imperial oppression, challenging the perceived failure of the Davidic dynasty while simultaneously holding to God's foundational promises.

Psalm 89 5 Word analysis

• Let the heavens: Hebrew šāmayim (שָׁמַיִם), referring to the sky, celestial bodies, and the dwelling place of God. This indicates a cosmic, universal scope of praise, not just human.
• praise: Hebrew hālāl (הָלַל), meaning to praise, glorify, boast in, to shine forth. It suggests an active and effusive commendation.
• Your wonders: Hebrew pele' (פֶּלֶא), signifying extraordinary or miraculous deeds, things too wonderful to comprehend. These are not merely great acts, but uniquely divine, supernatural interventions and creative acts.
• O LORD: Hebrew Yahweh (יְהוָה), God's covenant name, emphasizing His personal, faithful relationship with His creation and people, highlighting Him as the only true God.
• Your faithfulness: Hebrew 'ĕmūnâ (אֱמוּנָה), meaning firmness, stability, steadfastness, trustworthiness. This is a central theme in Psalm 89, indicating God's unchanging nature and reliability in keeping His word, especially His covenant promises.
• also in the assembly: Hebrew gam biqhal (גַּם־בִּקְהַל), implying "even in the congregation" or "assembly." This points to a gathering, suggesting an organized chorus of praise alongside that of the physical heavens.
• of the holy ones: Hebrew qədošîm (קְדֹשִׁים), "holy ones." This term most commonly refers to celestial beings, angels, or members of the divine council who surround God's throne (cf. Ps 29:1, Job 1:6, Zech 14:5). It is unlikely to refer primarily to human saints here given the immediate context of heavens praising. The parallel to "heavens" further supports the idea of non-human entities.
• "Let the heavens praise... Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.": This grouping underscores the dual sources of praise: the non-personal natural creation ("heavens") and the personal, intelligent, spiritual beings ("holy ones"). Both bear witness to two primary attributes of God: His mighty wonders (deeds) and His unshakeable faithfulness (character). The juxtaposition signifies the comprehensive and absolute nature of divine glory and reliability, reaching from the highest material to the highest spiritual realms. The implied polemic is against any false deities (like Baal or Ugaritic El) whose power and truth were perceived as conditional or limited. Yahweh alone receives universal, unwavering adoration for both His acts and His character.

Psalm 89 5 Bonus section

The "assembly of the holy ones" in this verse, also referenced in Psalms 29:1 and 82:1, finds strong parallels with the "divine council" motif found in ancient Near Eastern cosmology. However, the unique and distinguishing characteristic in the Hebrew Bible is that while other cultures depicted multiple gods in a pantheon, Psalm 89 makes it clear that the "holy ones" in Yahweh's assembly are subordinate to Him. They acknowledge Yahweh as supremely incomparable (Psalm 89:6-7), receiving praise for His wonders and His faithfulness, underscoring monotheism against polytheistic conceptions. This sets the stage for God's unparalleled sovereignty and the unyielding nature of His promises.

Psalm 89 5 Commentary

Psalm 89:5 functions as a foundational declaration of God's majestic praise before the psalm delves into a significant theological struggle. It proclaims that the praise for God’s incredible wonders (His acts of creation, deliverance, and governance) and His unfailing faithfulness (His unwavering loyalty to His covenants and promises) is not confined to humanity but echoes through the cosmos. The heavens themselves, as a visible testimony to God's creative power, metaphorically shout His praises. Crucially, this praise is augmented by the "assembly of the holy ones"—a clear reference to the heavenly court or divine beings who minister before God. This establishes that God’s attributes are acknowledged and celebrated by the most exalted, intelligent, and pure beings in existence, serving as an immutable truth even when human experience or historical circumstances might suggest otherwise, thus bolstering trust in the unchangeable character of God.