DISAPPOINTMENT-Psalm 89
Powerpoint: Psalm 89 Disappointment. 3rd longest psalm.
Does God promise and not fulfil? You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations’” (Ps 89:3-4).
Forgotten by the Faithful God, Rejected by Almighty God. “But you have rejected, you have spurned, you have been very angry with your anointed one. You have renounced the covenant with your servant and have defiled his crown in the dust” (Ps 89:38-39).
Psalm 89 is an exilic or postexilic psalm praying for the restoration of the Davidic dynasty. It is divided into 2 parts: 1–37 reflect on God’s character and His covenant with David, while 38–51 lament that God has rejected the house of David and seems to have broken His promises.
- Who is Ethan (1 Ki 4:31)? How does the psalmist affirm God’s great love and faithfulness (Ps 89:1-2)?
Why does he affirm this with the Davidic covenant (Ps 89:3; 2 Sam 7:12-13)?- What did God promise about David’s dynasty (Ps 89:4, 19-37; 1 Sam 13:14; 16:7, 11-13)?
- How and why does he praise the glorious majesty of God (Ps 89:5-8)? Declare His mastery and sovereign universal rule over the world (Ps 89:9-13; 24:1-2; Mk 4:39, 41)? Who does Rahab represent (Ps 87:4)?
- Who are those who are truly blessed (Ps 89:15-16; Jn 8:12; 1 Jn 1:5-7)?
- Why (Ps 89:14, 17-18)?
- In contrast to God’s glorious promises in verses 1-37, how does the tone drastically shfit from Psalm 89:38 onwards?
- How does God’s promise starkly contrast with their current situation (Ps 89:38-45)? What event do these verses refer to (Lam 2:8; 1:10, 12; 2 Ki 24:8; 25:27, 29)?
- How agonizing was their situation (Ps 89:46-49)? What can you learn from the psalmist’s raw expression of despair, disappointment and dejection?
- How do you feel when it seems like God broke His promises, as in verses 38-45 (Ps 13:1-2, 3-4)?
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How can you apply Psalm 89 to modern day situations where we feel let down by God?
- What is their plea (Ps 89:50-51; 69:9; Rom 15:3)?
- How does Psalm 89 point to Christ:
- Ps 89:4, 28-29, 36-37; Lk 1:32-33.
- Ps 89:19; Mt 3:17; 17:7; Mk 9:7.
- Ps 89:46; Jn 1:18; 14:9.
- Ps 89:47; Mk 1:17; Mt 28:19.
- Ps 89:48; Jn 11:25-26; 1 Cor 15:22.
- Ps 89:49; Rom 5:8, 6, 10.
- Is there a particular verse that speaks to your heart?
Ps 89:52 “He ends where he began; he has sailed round the world and reached port again. Let us bless God before we pray, and while we pray, and when we have done praying, for he always deserves it of us. If we cannot understand him, we will not distrust him.” Spurgeon.
- Jesus is the seed of David established forever: “I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations” (Ps 89:4).
- Jesus is the one chosen from the people: “I have bestowed strength on a warrior; I have raised up a young man from among the people” (Ps 89:19).
- All the questions asked in Ps 89:46-49 are answered in Christ: “How long, Lord? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire? Remember how fleeting is my life. For what futility you have created all humanity! Who can live and not see death, or who can escape the power of the grave? Lord, where is your former great love, which in your faithfulness you swore to David?”
