Bible Commentaries
Psalms 89

Verses 1-52

Psalms 89:0

Psalms 89:1 (Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.) I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Psalms 89:1 “Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite” - Word Study on “Maschil” Gesenius says the Hebrew word “Maschil” ( מַשְׂכִּיל ) (H4905) is a participle meaning, “a didactic poem.” Strong it means, “instructive,” thus “a didactic poem,” being derived from ( שָׂכַל ) (H7919), which literally means, “to be circumspect, and hence intelligent.” The Enhanced Strong says it is found 13 times in the Old Testament being translated in the KJV all 13 times as “Maschil.” It is used as a title for thirteen of the 150 psalms (Psalms 32:0; Psalms 42, 44, 45, 52 through 55; 74; 78; 88; 89; 142).

Most modern translations do as the KJV and transliterate this Hebrew word as “maschil,” thus avoiding the possibility of a mistranslation. The LXX reads “for instruction.” YLT reads “An Instruction.” Although some of these psalms are didactic in nature, scholars do not feel that all fit this category. The ISBE says, “Briggs suggests ‘a meditation,’ Thirtle and others ‘a psalm of instruction,’ Kirkpatrick ‘a cunning psalm.’” [97]

[97] John Richard Sampey, “Psalms,” in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ed. James Orr (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., c1915, 1939), in The Sword Project, v. 1.5.11 [CD-ROM] (Temple, AZ: CrossWire Bible Society, 1990-2008).

Scripture Reference - Note:

1 Kings 4:31, “For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman , and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.”

Psalms 89:17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

Psalms 89:17 Comments - Psalms 89:17 seems to show that the word “horn” is synonymous with the word “strength.” The word “horn” may carry the idea of authority or a position of power (Zechariah 1:21, Luke 1:69, Revelation 17:12).

Zechariah 1:21, “Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it .”

Luke 1:69, “And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;”

Revelation 17:12, “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings , which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.”

Psalms 89:20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:

Psalms 89:20 Scripture References - Note:

Acts 13:22-23, “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse , a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:”

Psalms 89:52 Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.

Psalms 89:52 Comments - Psalms 89:52 serves as the doxology that closes Book Three.