The Meaning of Psalms 89:35 Explained

Psalms 89:35

KJV: Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.

YLT: Once I have sworn by My holiness, I lie not to David,

Darby: Once have I sworn by my holiness; I will not lie unto David:

ASV: Once have I sworn by my holiness: I will not lie unto David:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Once  have I sworn  by my holiness  that I will not lie  unto David. 

What does Psalms 89:35 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 89:19-37 - The Covenant With David
In this section the psalmist draws put, in detail, the fundamental prophecy by Nathan already mentioned; first, in the promises given to David, Psalms 89:19-27; and second, in those relating to his descendants, Psalms 89:28-37.
David's origin was very humble. His dignity and power were all of God. But our Father never sets a man in any position and fails to supply the gifts needed for it. When He chooses, He anoints, strengthens, and protects. Victory also is granted over the man's enemies, because God's faithfulness and mercy are beside him, Psalms 89:24. The relationship between the soul and God is very intimate; on the one hand you have Psalms 89:26; and on the other Psalms 89:27.
What a precious promise is Psalms 89:28! From this point the psalmist turns to expand the promises to David's line. They may be chastened, but not permanently rejected. In Psalms 89:33 the twin attributes of mercy and faithfulness are again blended as the ground of hope of sinful and unworthy men. God's word, once spoken, is inviolable. He is bound by His oath. Sin cannot alter His promise or the obligations under which He has laid Himself. His unchangeableness is a bed-rock upon which we may build with certitude. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 89

1  The psalmist praises God for his covenant
5  For his wonderful power
15  For the care of his church
19  For his favor to the kingdom of David
38  Then complaining of contrary events
46  He expostulates, prays, and blesses God

What do the individual words in Psalms 89:35 mean?

Once I have sworn by My holiness that I will to David I will not lie
אַ֭חַת נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתִּי בְקָדְשִׁ֑י אִֽם־ לְדָוִ֥ד אֲכַזֵּֽב

אַ֭חַת  Once 
Parse: Number, feminine singular
Root: אֶחָד  
Sense: one (number).
נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתִּי  I  have  sworn 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: שָׁבַע  
Sense: to swear, adjure.
בְקָדְשִׁ֑י  by  My  holiness 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: קֹדֶשׁ  
Sense: apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness.
אִֽם־  that  I  will 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
לְדָוִ֥ד  to  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
אֲכַזֵּֽב  I  will  not  lie 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: כָּזַב  
Sense: to lie, tell a lie, be a liar, be found a liar, be in vain, fail.