Psalm 89 is a love song to the Lord written by Ethan the
Ezrahite, a cymbal player in Solomon’s temple band. His hymn of rejoicing
was penned during Israel’s golden age even though it anticipates Solomon’s kingdom split between the lines his sons
established, neither of which would last forever. The Northern Kingdom fell
first never to rise again and while the Southern Kingdom survived captivity it
would never again know the glorious days of Solomon’s reign. The portions of
the psalm that we don’t read promise punishment when the children of Israel forsake
the law and violate the covenant. Even so God promises never to remove steadfast
love from Israel or be false to God’s faithfulness to Judah. When “I could sing
of your love forever” is based on human kingdoms and thrones established by the
strength of sword and shield, even if the glory is given to God, the song is
less than praiseworthy. To trust in God’s
faithfulness forever is to sing, “I love you, Lord” when the enemy is at the
gate and the city is overthrown and the temple is burned to the ground. That is
true for us as well who love the Lord in good times and bad, in sickness and in
health, for richer and for poorer. If we claim God’s love for us is unconditional
then it follows that our love for God must be as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment