Psalms 89: I Will Sing of Your Loving Kindness

Psalm 89 is a contemplation by Ethan, the Ezrahite, as the title says. Ethan sings of Yahweh's loving kindness and faithfulness forever. He praises God who rules the sea and made the heavens and earth. He recalls God's covenant with David: I will establish your offspring forever. Then he grieves that the king has been defeated and asks, How long, Yahweh? The psalm ends, Blessed be Yahweh forever more. Amen, and Amen.

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Read Psalms 89

World English Bible · 52 verses

¹ A contemplation by Ethan, the Ezrahite. I will sing of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever. With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² I indeed declare, “Love stands firm forever. You established the heavens. Your faithfulness is in them.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David, my servant,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build up your throne to all generations.’” Selah.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ The heavens will praise your wonders, Yahweh, your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ For who in the skies can be compared to Yahweh? Who among the sons of the heavenly beings is like Yahweh,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ a very awesome God in the council of the holy ones, to be feared above all those who are around him?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ Yahweh, God of Armies, who is a mighty one, like you? Yah, your faithfulness is around you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ You rule the pride of the sea. When its waves rise up, you calm them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ You have broken Rahab in pieces, like one of the slain. You have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ The heavens are yours. The earth also is yours, the world and its fullness. You have founded them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² You have created the north and the south. Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ You have a mighty arm. Your hand is strong, and your right hand is exalted.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you. They walk in the light of your presence, Yahweh.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ In your name they rejoice all day. In your righteousness, they are exalted.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ For you are the glory of their strength. In your favor, our horn will be exalted.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ For our shield belongs to Yahweh, our king to the Holy One of Israel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Then you spoke in vision to your saints, and said, “I have given strength to the warrior. I have exalted a young man from the people.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ I have found David, my servant. I have anointed him with my holy oil,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ with whom my hand shall be established. My arm will also strengthen him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² No enemy will tax him. No wicked man will oppress him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ I will beat down his adversaries before him, and strike those who hate him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ But my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him. In my name, his horn will be exalted.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ I will set his hand also on the sea, and his right hand on the rivers.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ He will call to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation!’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more. My covenant will stand firm with him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ I will also make his offspring endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ If his children forsake my law, and don’t walk in my ordinances;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ if they break my statutes, and don’t keep my commandments;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ But I will not completely take my loving kindness from him, nor allow my faithfulness to fail.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ I will not break my covenant, nor alter what my lips have uttered.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ Once I have sworn by my holiness, I will not lie to David.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ His offspring will endure forever, his throne like the sun before me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁷ It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁸ But you have rejected and spurned. You have been angry with your anointed.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁹ You have renounced the covenant of your servant. You have defiled his crown in the dust.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁰ You have broken down all his hedges. You have brought his strongholds to ruin.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴¹ All who pass by the way rob him. He has become a reproach to his neighbors.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴² You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries. You have made all of his enemies rejoice.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴³ Yes, you turn back the edge of his sword, and haven’t supported him in battle.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁴ You have ended his splendor, and thrown his throne down to the ground.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁵ You have shortened the days of his youth. You have covered him with shame. Selah.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁶ How long, Yahweh? Will you hide yourself forever? Will your wrath burn like fire?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁷ Remember how short my time is, for what vanity you have created all the children of men!This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁸ What man is he who shall live and not see death, who shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁹ Lord, where are your former loving kindnesses, which you swore to David in your faithfulness?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁰ Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servants, how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the mighty peoples,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵¹ With which your enemies have mocked, Yahweh, with which they have mocked the footsteps of your anointed one.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵² Blessed be Yahweh forever more. Amen, and Amen.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

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Open Preschool on its own page

Psalms 89 · Preschool

God Is Faithful

Name Date

Color the sun and the moon. God keeps his promises forever.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Yahweh, God of Armies, who is a mighty one, like you? Yah, your faithfulness is around you.”

Psalms 89:8 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: No one is mighty like God. God always keeps his promises. Let's sing a happy song about God!

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Psalms 89 · Grade 4

When a Promise Seems Broken

Name Date

Read and Think

The title of Psalm 89 calls it a contemplation by Ethan, the Ezrahite. The psalm ends Book III of the Psalms. It begins with praise. I will sing of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever. Ethan praises God as the Creator who rules the sea, made the north and the south, and has a mighty arm. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.

At the heart of the psalm is God's covenant with David. I have found David, my servant. I have anointed him with my holy oil. God promised that if David's children sinned, he would discipline them, but he says, I will not completely take my loving kindness from him. His throne would last like the sun and the moon.

Then the psalm turns. Ethan sees the king defeated, his crown in the dust and his throne thrown down. He cries, How long, Yahweh? Lord, where are your former loving kindnesses, which you swore to David? Ethan does not hide his confusion, but he brings it to God. The psalm and Book III close with praise: Blessed be Yahweh forever more. Amen, and Amen.

Show What You Know

What does Psalm 89 end?
What did God promise about David's children if they sinned?
What does Ethan see that troubles him?
How does the psalm close?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

thronesingmoonDavidsea

I will of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever.
Ethan praises God as the Creator who rules the , made the north and the south, and has a mighty arm.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your .
I have found , my servant.
His throne would last like the sun and the .

Think About It

What could you do when it seems like God's promise is not coming true?
Why do you think Ethan still ends with praise?

Memory Verse

“But I will not completely take my loving kindness from him, nor allow my faithfulness to fail.”

Psalms 89:33 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for keeping your promises. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

When it seems like God's plan has failed, how can you hold on?
In the New Testament, how does Luke 1:32-33 connect God's promise to David with Jesus?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Psalms 89 · Grade 5

Where Are Your Former Loving Kindnesses?

Name Date

Read and Think

The title of Psalm 89 names Ethan, the Ezrahite, as its writer, and the psalm closes Book III of the Psalter. Its first half is a hymn. I will sing of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever. Ethan praises God's faithfulness in the heavens and his power over the sea. You have broken Rahab in pieces, a poetic name for the forces of chaos. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.

The second section retells the covenant with David from 2 Samuel 7. God promises, I will establish your offspring forever. Even if his children forsake my law, God says, I will not break my covenant, nor alter what my lips have uttered. Once I have sworn by my holiness, I will not lie to David. His throne would endure like the sun and the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.

The final section is a lament that seems to contradict everything before it. You have renounced the covenant of your servant. You have defiled his crown in the dust. The king's line has been humbled, perhaps at the exile. Ethan asks, Lord, where are your former loving kindnesses? The tension is left open, yet the book closes with a doxology. Christians see the answer in Jesus, the Son of David, whose kingdom has no end (Luke 1:32-33).

Show What You Know

What does Rahab mean in verse 10?
What earlier passage does the covenant section retell?
What seems to contradict God's promise?
Where do Christians see the answer to Ethan's question?

Crossword

Across

The ____ witness in the sky.
Which you swore to ____ in your faithfulness.
I will ____ of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever.

Down

And build up your ____ to all generations.
____ kindness and truth go before your face.

Think About It

How can we hold on to God's promises when circumstances seem to deny them?
Why might God let a promise look broken before showing how he keeps it?

Memory Verse

“I will not break my covenant, nor alter what my lips have uttered.”

Psalms 89:34 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for keeping your promises. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you still praise God when you are waiting?
Ethan asked God to remember how short life is. How does honesty about your weakness shape your prayers?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Psalms 89: I Will Sing of Your Loving Kindness

Read Psalms 89

Worksheets

God Is Faithful

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Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

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Prayer

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Where Are Your Former Loving Kindnesses?

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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