The Meaning of Psalms 89:1 Explained

Psalms 89:1

KJV: {Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.} I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

YLT: An instruction, by Ethan the Ezrahite. Of the kind acts of Jehovah, to the age I sing, To all generations I make known Thy faithfulness with my mouth,

Darby: {An instruction. Of Ethan the Ezrahite.} I will sing of the loving-kindness of Jehovah for ever; with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness from generation to generation.

ASV: I will sing of the lovingkindness of Jehovah for ever: With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{Maschil  of Ethan  the Ezrahite.  }} I will sing  of the mercies  of the LORD  for ever:  with my mouth  will I make known  thy faithfulness  to all  generations. 

What does Psalms 89:1 Mean?

Study Notes

Maschil
Maschil, instruction.

Context Summary

Psalms 89:1-18 - No God Like Our God
To understand this psalm we must turn to 2 Samuel 7:1-29, where God guaranteed that David's kingdom should be continued to his descendants. Nathan's words are quoted in Psalms 89:3-4. But in contrast with these promises, which were conditional upon the faithful obedience of David's descendants, the psalmist sorrowfully recites the disobedience of the Chosen People. There could be no doubt as to the divine faithfulness to Covenant engagements. See Psalms 89:1-2; Psalms 89:5; Psalms 89:8; Psalms 89:14. And the object of this psalm is to inquire whether that faithfulness does not include the recall and restoration of a sinful nation, as it most certainly does include the continued blessing of an obedient one.
In the first division, Psalms 89:1-18, the singer enumerates the divine attributes. God's mercy is conceived as a stately mansion, which is being reared, story by story, throughout the centuries. The enduring heavens, the mightiest natural forces, such as the tides, the glorious mountains, are emblems of qualities in God's nature. He is described as going forth in a triumphal procession, preceded by Mercy and Truth; and we are invited to accompany Him, and to walk in the light of His countenance. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 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 89:1 mean?

A Contemplation of Ethan the Ezrahite Of the mercies of Yahweh forever I will sing to and all generations Will I make known Your faithfulness with my mouth
מַ֝שְׂכִּ֗יל לְאֵיתָ֥ן הָֽאֶזְרָחִֽי חַֽסְדֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה עוֹלָ֣ם אָשִׁ֑ירָה לְדֹ֥ר וָדֹ֓ר ׀ אוֹדִ֖יעַ אֱמוּנָתְךָ֣ בְּפִֽי

מַ֝שְׂכִּ֗יל  A  Contemplation 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מַשְׂכִּיל  
Sense: (Hiphil) poem, song or poem of contemplation.
לְאֵיתָ֥ן  of  Ethan 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֵיתָן  
Sense: an Ezrahite known for his wisdom.
הָֽאֶזְרָחִֽי  the  Ezrahite 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֶזְרָחִי  
Sense: Ezrahite, of the family of Zerach.
חַֽסְדֵ֣י  Of  the  mercies 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.
יְ֭הוָה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
עוֹלָ֣ם  forever 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.
אָשִׁ֑ירָה  I  will  sing 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: שִׁיר  
Sense: to sing.
וָדֹ֓ר ׀  and  all  generations 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: דֹּור 
Sense: period, generation, habitation, dwelling.
אוֹדִ֖יעַ  Will  I  make  known 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect Cohortative if contextual, first person common singular
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
אֱמוּנָתְךָ֣  Your  faithfulness 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: אֱמוּנָה  
Sense: firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness.
בְּפִֽי  with  my  mouth 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: פֶּה  
Sense: mouth.