A psalm can turn instantaneously and this one does just that. For the first 37 verses, it’s all praise and joy and wonder and everything you would think in a psalm . More specifically the psalmist is remembering the great and precious promises that God would establish David’s line forever and ever. And oh, how glorious! Promise after promise is recalled.
And then there’s that word, “but.”
“But you have spurned and rejected him…you have completely dishonored his crown…all who pass by plunder him” (Ps 89:38, 39, 41). It’s as if every single promise the Lord has made has turned out the opposite.
God said
“The enemy will not afflict him” (v. 21) but they are being afflicted.
“no wicked man will oppress him” (v. 22) but they are being oppressed.
“I will crush his foes before him” (v. 23) but his foes are doing quite well.
God even goes so far to say that “If his sons forsake My instruction and do not live My ordinances…then I will call their rebellion to account with the rod, their sin with blows. But I will not withdraw My faithful love from him or betray my faithfulness” (Ps 89:30-36). Isn’t this a promise forever?
It all sounds good God, but isn’t the very opposite happening???
It’s confusing.
“Lord, where are the former acts of Your faithful love that you swore to David in your faithfulness?” (Ps 89:49).
The question isn’t answered. The tension and mystery remain. But even in all that, there is a hard fought desire to trust the Lord:
“May the Lord be praised forever” (v. 52) is how the psalm ends.”
“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)
Psalms like this were made for today’s like this.
