The Steadfast Love and Faithfulness of the Lord
Psalm 89:1-2: "I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. For I said, 'Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.'"
The psalmist here remembers God's faithfulness to his people while anticipating his faithful work in Israel's present and future. Psalm 89 is another community lament. The nation of Israel has once again been defeated. They remember how God has raised up leaders for the nation, especially that of King David. In King David, the nation flourished. God made a covenant that a descendant of David would forever sit on the throne. Yet, as this Psalm was written, David was gone, the nation of Israel split, and there was great unrest among the people within Israel and Judah. They longed for the glory days of Israel. They longed for the unity and blessings they experienced under David.
In remembering David, they also remembered God's covenant with David and God's faithfulness to all his covenants. The Psalmist recalls the words of Exodus 34:6 singing about God's steadfast love and faithfulness. Despite the turns and twists of this Psalm, despite the challenges that Israel was facing at that time, the Psalmist knew that the Lord's love remained and that his faithfulness to the covenant remained.
While Psalm 89 is a community lament, it is also a royal psalm. Royal psalms looked back to King David and ahead to the promised Messianic King, the one who would sit on David's throne forever. Remember the words that the angel spoke to Mary in this week's Gospel reading: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:32-33). For those who felt the pain of oppression and longed for the glory days of David, this would be a day to look forward to, a day that promised great hope for the nation of Israel.
While the people of Israel struggled during the time of this psalm, they knew that the steadfast love of the Lord was secure and that his promises were trustworthy and true. They looked back to King David for assurance and looked forward to the promised Messianic King with hope. In your trials and tribulations do you also cling to the promises of God? The Advent season is our reminder that God is faithful. He has kept his promises in the past and will stay faithful in the future.
Reflection:
In our crazy, mixed up world, it is easy to focus on the pain and the problems. Can you take some time in this last week of Advent to focus on God's steadfast love and faithfulness? His covenantal promises have always held true. There is a plan, a good plan for you and for the people of God.
The psalmist here remembers God's faithfulness to his people while anticipating his faithful work in Israel's present and future. Psalm 89 is another community lament. The nation of Israel has once again been defeated. They remember how God has raised up leaders for the nation, especially that of King David. In King David, the nation flourished. God made a covenant that a descendant of David would forever sit on the throne. Yet, as this Psalm was written, David was gone, the nation of Israel split, and there was great unrest among the people within Israel and Judah. They longed for the glory days of Israel. They longed for the unity and blessings they experienced under David.
In remembering David, they also remembered God's covenant with David and God's faithfulness to all his covenants. The Psalmist recalls the words of Exodus 34:6 singing about God's steadfast love and faithfulness. Despite the turns and twists of this Psalm, despite the challenges that Israel was facing at that time, the Psalmist knew that the Lord's love remained and that his faithfulness to the covenant remained.
While Psalm 89 is a community lament, it is also a royal psalm. Royal psalms looked back to King David and ahead to the promised Messianic King, the one who would sit on David's throne forever. Remember the words that the angel spoke to Mary in this week's Gospel reading: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:32-33). For those who felt the pain of oppression and longed for the glory days of David, this would be a day to look forward to, a day that promised great hope for the nation of Israel.
While the people of Israel struggled during the time of this psalm, they knew that the steadfast love of the Lord was secure and that his promises were trustworthy and true. They looked back to King David for assurance and looked forward to the promised Messianic King with hope. In your trials and tribulations do you also cling to the promises of God? The Advent season is our reminder that God is faithful. He has kept his promises in the past and will stay faithful in the future.
Reflection:
In our crazy, mixed up world, it is easy to focus on the pain and the problems. Can you take some time in this last week of Advent to focus on God's steadfast love and faithfulness? His covenantal promises have always held true. There is a plan, a good plan for you and for the people of God.
No Comments