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<p>The psalmist has a very sad complaint to make of the deplorable condition of the family of David at this time, and yet he begins the psalm with songs of praise; for we must, in every thing, in every state, give thanks; thus we must glorify the Lord in the fire. We think, when we are in trouble, that we get ease by complaining; but we do more—we get joy, by praising. Let our complaints therefore be turned into thanksgivings; and in these verses we find that which will be matter of praise and thanksgiving for us in the worst of times, whether upon a personal or a public account, 1. However it be, the everlasting God is good and true, <a class="bibleref" title="Ps.89.1" href="/passage/?search=Ps.89.1">Ps. 89:1</a>. Though we may find it hard to reconcile present dark providences with the goodness and truth of God, yet we must abide by this principle, That God’s mercies are inexhaustible and his truth is inviolable; and these must be the matter of our joy and praise: “<i>I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever</i>, sing a praising song to God’s honour, a pleasant song for my own solace, and <i>Maschil</i>, an instructive song, for the edification of others.” We may be for ever singing God’s mercies, and yet the subject will not be drawn dry. We must sing of God’s mercies as long as we live, train up others to sing of them when we are gone, and hope to be singing them in heaven world without end; and this is <i>singing of the mercies of the Lord for ever. With my mouth</i>, and with my pen (for by that also do we speak), <i>will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations</i>, assuring posterity, from my own observation and experience, that God is true to every word that he has spoken, that they may learn to <i>put their trust in God</i>, <a class="bibleref" title="Ps.78.6" href="/passage/?search=Ps.78.6">Ps. 78:6</a>. 2. However it be, the everlasting covenant is firm and sure, <a class="bibleref" title="Ps.89.2-Ps.89.4" href="/passage/?search=Ps.89.2-Ps.89.4">Ps. 89:2-4</a>. Here we have, (1.) The psalmist’s faith and hope: “Things now look black, and threaten the utter extirpation of the house of David; but <i>I have said</i>, and I have warrant from the word of God to say it, that <i>mercy shall be built up for ever</i>.” As the goodness of God’s nature is to be the matter of our song (<a class="bibleref" title="Ps.89.1" href="/passage/?search=Ps.89.1">Ps. 89:1</a>), so much more the mercy that is built for us in the covenant; it is still increasing, like a house in the building up, and shall still continue our rest for ever, like a house built up. It shall be built up for ever; for the everlasting habitations we hope for in the new Jerusalem are of this building. If mercy shall be built for ever, then the <i>tabernacle of David, which has fallen down</i>, shall <i>be raised out of its ruins</i>, and <i>built up as in the days of old</i>, <a class="bibleref" title="Amos.9.11" href="/passage/?search=Amos.9.11">Amos 9:11</a>. <i>Therefore</i> mercy shall be built up for ever, because <i>thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens</i>. Though our expectations are in some particular instances disappointed, yet God’s promises are not disannulled; they are <i>established in the very heavens</i> (that is, in his eternal counsels); they are above the changes of this lower region and out of the reach of the opposition of hell and earth. The stability of the material heavens is an emblem of the truth of God’s word; the heavens may be clouded by vapours arising out of the earth, but they cannot be touched, they cannot be changed. (2.) An abstract of the covenant upon which this faith and hope are built: <i>I have said it</i>, says the psalmist, for <i>God hath sworn it</i>, that the heirs of promise might be entirely satisfied of the immutability of his counsel. He brings in God speaking (<a class="bibleref" title="Ps.89.3" href="/passage/?search=Ps.89.3">Ps. 89:3</a>), owning, to the comfort of his people, “<i>I have made a covenant</i>, and therefore will make it good.”
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