Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
Verse 2I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
Verse 3You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:
Verse 4'I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.'" Selah
Verse 19Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said: "I have set the crown on one who is mighty, I have exalted one chosen from the people.
Verse 20I have found my servant David; with my holy oil I have anointed him;
Verse 21my hand shall always remain with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.
Verse 22The enemy shall not outwit him, the wicked shall not humble him.
Verse 23I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.
Verse 24My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him; and in my name his horn shall be exalted.
Verse 25I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.
Verse 26He shall cry to me, 'You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation!'
Devotion
God promises David a covenant, a promise, a bond. God will always be with David. And with the children of David? Even us? With you and me? Yes, says God, because you are all David (Isaiah 55:3). The promise is clear and binding, even on God: I will be with you all. My hand shall remain with you always. I will crush all your foes. Is this good news or bad? The trouble is that my most dangerous foe lives within me—everything that stands between me and God, between me and the neighbor. Will you crush that foe, God? Please!
Prayer
God, come, we pray, to protect us and cleanse us with your steadfast love that we may declare it to others, that we may be it to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.