Psalms 89:38-52 - Daily Devotion - 15 May 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

The first part of Psalm 89 was a praise to God. Yesterday we read the central section, in which the writer reminded God of the covenant he made with King David. He describes how God chose David to be his anointed king, and then he quotes 2 Samuel 7, which was where God made a solemn promise that David’s dynasty and throne would last forever. Even if David’s sons rebelled and were punished, God would not break his covenant with David.

But it turns out that Psalm 89 was written during the exile, when Jerusalem had been overthrown by the Babylonians, and David’s descendant on the throne had been led away in chains. Today we read the final section.

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

38 Now, however, You have spurned and rejected him;
You are enraged by Your anointed one.
39 You have renounced the covenant with Your servant
and sullied his crown in the dust.
40 You have broken down all his walls;
You have reduced his strongholds to rubble.
41 All who pass by plunder him;
he has become a reproach to his neighbors.

42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
You have made all his enemies rejoice.
43 You have bent the edge of his sword
and have not sustained him in battle.
44 You have ended his splendor
and cast his throne to the ground.
45 You have cut short the days of his youth;
You have covered him with shame.

Selah
46 How long, O LORD?
Will You hide Yourself forever?
Will Your wrath keep burning like fire?
47 Remember the briefness of my lifespan!
For what futility You have created all men!
48 What man can live and never see death?
Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?

Selah
49 Where, O Lord, is Your loving devotion of old,
which You faithfully swore to David?
50 Remember, O Lord, the reproach of Your servants,
which I bear in my heart from so many people—
51 how Your enemies have taunted, O LORD,
and have mocked every step of Your anointed one!

52 Blessed be the LORD forever!

Amen and amen.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.