Psalm 89

A lament of Ethan.

Verse one stirs up a happy tune in my head....long sung in worship services, around camp fires, and in youth groups.....
     "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
       With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations."  

Yes,  this is a good thing;  good to recall God's mercy and faithfulness.  Good to remember what He has said and done.  But the joy and confidence of that one verse gives no clue as to the lament that will follow.

The Davidic  promise is quoted in V. 3-4, sparking another burst of praise in V 5-18.  God alone is to be praised.  It is He who is to be feared and held in reverence.   Who is like Him?......in faithfulness, might, rule, and care?  He established the earth ad sustains it, and He cares for His own.

The Davidic promise is expanded in Verses 19-37.  God chose and anointed him, and established his reign in Israel.  David would expand the kingdom successfully by God's strength.  The enemy would not stand against him.   Even if his sons should turn away......God would not forsake His promise that one of David's line would be on the throne forever.  

But He would indeed punish unrighteousness......without breaking His promise.

After recalling the greatness of God and His promise.......comes the lament.

It seems a son of David has turned, and God's hand is heavy upon both he and the nation.  It appears as though God has broken His promise (though Ethan knows it is not so).
The enemy is exalted now, and the king an kingdom suffer.  The glory of David has been replaced with reproach and shame.

How long?       In a statement reminiscent of Ecclesiastes, he reminds God of life's brevity and futility.  We will all see death.   He pleads with Go to remember His promise!  The people long to see and know His favor again!

Remembering this.......comes the statement of praise, "Blessed be the Lord forevermore!"

He is to be trusted even when all seems lost.  

So.....after recalling the cheery song of praise from verse 1.......I will now always carry that thought a little farther in my mind....
 after reading the rest of the text, I realize a deeper meaning......
Even when we can't SEE evidence of the Lord's mercies, or faithfulness to His promises.....when it seems to us that He has abandoned it all....WE need to be faithful to remember what He has said, and to pronounce it willingly, and to trust that His Word is true. Know it,.....even when you don't feel it.
He is indeed merciful, and faithful, and very, very True.