A contemplation by Ethan, the Ezrahite.

89:1 I will sing of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever.

With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

89:2 I indeed declare, "Love stands firm forever.

You established the heavens.

Your faithfulness is in them."

89:3 "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to David, my servant,

89:4 'I will establish your seed forever,

and build up your throne to all generations.'"

Selah.

89:5 The heavens will praise your wonders, Yahweh;

your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.

89:6 For who in the skies can be compared to Yahweh?

Who among the sons of the heavenly beings is like Yahweh,

89:7 a very awesome God in the council of the holy ones,

to be feared above all those who are around him?

89:8 Yahweh, God of Armies, who is a mighty one, like you?

Yah, your faithfulness is around you.

89:9 You rule the pride of the sea.

When its waves rise up, you calm them.

89:10 You have broken Rahab in pieces, like one of the slain.

You have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

89:11 The heavens are yours.

The earth also is yours;

the world and its fullness.

You have founded them.

89:12 The north and the south, you have created them.

Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.

89:13 You have a mighty arm.

Your hand is strong, and your right hand is exalted.

89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.

Loving kindness and truth go before your face.

89:15 Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you.

They walk in the light of your presence, Yahweh.

89:16 In your name they rejoice all day.

In your righteousness, they are exalted.

89:17 For you are the glory of their strength.

In your favor, our horn will be exalted.

89:18 For our shield belongs to Yahweh;

our king to the Holy One of Israel.

89:19 Then you spoke in vision to your saints,

and said, "I have bestowed strength on the warrior.

I have exalted a young man from the people.

89:20 I have found David, my servant.

I have anointed him with my holy oil,

89:21 with whom my hand shall be established.

My arm will also strengthen him.

89:22 No enemy will tax him.

No wicked man will oppress him.

89:23 I will beat down his adversaries before him,

and strike those who hate him.

89:24 But my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him.

In my name, his horn will be exalted.

89:25 I will set his hand also on the sea,

and his right hand on the rivers.

89:26 He will call to me, 'You are my Father,

my God, and the rock of my salvation!'

89:27 I will also appoint him my firstborn,

the highest of the kings of the earth.

89:28 I will keep my loving kindness for him forevermore.

My covenant will stand firm with him.

89:29 I will also make his seed endure forever,

and his throne as the days of heaven.

89:30 If his children forsake my law,

and don't walk in my ordinances;

89:31 if they break my statutes,

and don't keep my commandments;

89:32 then I will punish their sin with the rod,

and their iniquity with stripes.

89:33 But I will not completely take my loving kindness from him,

nor allow my faithfulness to fail.

89:34 I will not break my covenant,

nor alter what my lips have uttered.

89:35 Once have I sworn by my holiness,

I will not lie to David.

89:36 His seed will endure forever,

his throne like the sun before me.

89:37 It will be established forever like the moon,

the faithful witness in the sky."

Selah.

89:38 But you have rejected and spurned.

You have been angry with your anointed.

89:39 You have renounced the covenant of your servant.

You have defiled his crown in the dust.

89:40 You have broken down all his hedges.

You have brought his strongholds to ruin.

89:41 All who pass by the way rob him.

He has become a reproach to his neighbors.

89:42 You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries.

You have made all of his enemies rejoice.

89:43 Yes, you turn back the edge of his sword,

and haven't supported him in battle.

89:44 You have ended his splendor,

and thrown his throne down to the ground.

89:45 You have shortened the days of his youth.

You have covered him with shame.

Selah.

89:46 How long, Yahweh?

Will you hide yourself forever?

Will your wrath burn like fire?

89:47 Remember how short my time is!

For what vanity have you created all the children of men!

89:48 What man is he who shall live and not see death,

who shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?

Selah.

89:49 Lord, where are your former loving kindnesses,

which you swore to David in your faithfulness?

89:50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servants,

how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the mighty peoples,

89:51 With which your enemies have mocked, Yahweh,

with which they have mocked the footsteps of your anointed one.

89:52 Blessed be Yahweh forevermore.

Amen, and Amen.

BOOK IV