Psalms of Christmas
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 89:1
Is God really in control? When bad things happen in the world or to us, we can be tempted by our sinful nature to question God’s faithfulness and His love. Similarly, in Psalm 89, the psalmist first praises God’s faithfulness and His covenant, only to later doubt them. We see, though, from God’s Word – a record of God’s promises kept – how God did keep His covenant.
The psalmist here discusses a particular covenant between God and David. God had promised David that He would “establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:13). Psalm 89 ends by questioning this covenant. If ungodly kings are removed from the throne, how could God keep His promise? If the kingdom of Israel suffers military defeats, how is God being faithful (Psalm 89:38-45)?
From an earthly perspective, God’s promises didn’t seem fulfilled. The psalm concludes with the lament beginning, “How long, LORD?” (Psalm 89:46a). Though the psalmist and the exiled children of Israel did not live to see this answer, God was still faithful, in spite of all their unfaithfulness. He promises: “Nevertheless My loving kindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow my faithfulness to fail.” (Psalm 89:33) God’s Son came into the world as David’s descendant. Jesus is the anointed Son of God, the true King who reigns forever.
When we celebrate Jesus’ birth, we also celebrate God’s faithfulness and love. His covenant of grace is truly a one-way promise. Despite our sin and unfaithfulness, God sent His Son to suffer and die for us so that we have eternal life.
Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home;
Oh, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart!
Hark! the heard angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
The Lutheran Hymnal 94:4