Here’s a good plan: “With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations” (Ps 89:1).
Since Psalm 89 is the only one penned by Ethan the Ezrahite, we’re happy he expresses his thoughts in 52 remarkable verses. The psalm is a maskil, or educational psalm, for serious contemplation. In addition to this psalm, Ethan is mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31 as a wise man, although not quite as wise as Solomon (see also 1 Chron 2:6). In taking up the subject of the covenant God made with David, Ethan will need to carefully distinguish between what is conditional and what is unconditional about this agreement. To confuse that would be to lose all hope, as we will see. The psalm presents first the Criteria of the Covenant (vv 1-4), the two wings with which it soars above the promises of men. One is mercy, or loving-kindness (Heb, hesed), the gracious disposition of God in all that He is to His creatures. The other is faithfulness (Heb, ’emunah), the consistent dependability of God in all that He does for His creatures. Both words occur seven times each in the psalm. Then we have the Character of the Covenant-Keeper (vv 5-14). He is incomparable “in the heavens” (vv 5-6) and incomparable on earth (vv 7-10)! Yes, “the heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours” (v 11). His “righteousness and justice…mercy and truth” are all sublime (v 14). The Contentment of His Children (vv 15-18) then follows. “Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance” (v 15). We also have a discussion of the Conditions of the Covenant (vv 19-37), including the selection and preservation of David. Verses 30-32 speak of the necessary condition of obedience, and verses 33-37 speak of its unconditional aspect, especially sending the promised Messiah (v 27). And there’s more to come!