The Meaning of Psalms 89:28 Explained

Psalms 89:28

KJV: My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

YLT: To the age I keep for him My kindness, And My covenant is stedfast with him.

Darby: My loving-kindness will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him;

ASV: My lovingkindness will I keep for him for evermore; And my covenant shall stand fast with him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

My mercy  will I keep  for him for evermore,  and my covenant  shall stand fast  with him. 

What does Psalms 89:28 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 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: 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 89:28 mean?

Forever - I will keep for him My mercy and My covenant shall stand firm with him
לְ֭עוֹלָ֗ם [אשמור־] (0אֶשְׁמָר־) ל֣וֹ חַסְדִּ֑י וּ֝בְרִיתִ֗י נֶאֱמֶ֥נֶת לֽוֹ

לְ֭עוֹלָ֗ם  Forever 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.
[אשמור־]  - 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
(0אֶשְׁמָר־)  I  will  keep 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
ל֣וֹ  for  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
חַסְדִּ֑י  My  mercy 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.
וּ֝בְרִיתִ֗י  and  My  covenant 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: בְּרִית  
Sense: covenant, alliance, pledge.
נֶאֱמֶ֥נֶת  shall  stand  firm 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, feminine singular
Root: אָמַן 
Sense: to support, confirm, be faithful.
לֽוֹ  with  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular