Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

89:5-7 holy ones. These are the angels (Job 15:15; Dan. 4:13; 8:13; Mark 8:38; Acts 10:22; Rev. 14:10), pictured as an assembly (Ps. 89:5) and council (v. 7), surrounding God and doing his will (cf. 1 Kings 22:19; Job 1:6; 2:1; Ps. 103:20-21). They are also called heavenly beings (ESV footnote, "sons of God"). The Lord is exalted above these most exalted of all creatures, and is worthy of their praise.

89:8-10 God is more mighty than any other being: he governs even the raging of the sea (unmanageable chaos to an Israelite) and the powers that dwell in it (Rahab could be a name for Egypt, seen as a great world power [cf. 87:4], but most take it to be a mythological beast that personifies the forces of chaos [cf. Job 9:13; 26:12; Isa. 51:9]).

89:11-12 Cf. 24:1-2. Because God is the Creator, the whole world belongs to him; and his creation will joyously praise his name (103:22). Tabor and Hermon are notable mountains in the land, Tabor in the Jezreel Valley and Hermon at the northern end. The most impressive features of the landscape acknowledge the greatness of their Creator.

89:13-14 These verses describe some of God's attributes, stressing his faithful commitment to his people. The pairing of God's hand and his right hand can refer to his power, as in Isa. 48:13, but here it is specifically his power for the sake of his own people (cf. Ps. 74:11; 138:7). Likewise God's righteousness, justice, steadfast love, and faithfulness all point to his reliability, his keeping of his promises, and his patient and enduring care even for people who are unworthy.

89:15-18 It is no wonder that the song moves on to glory in the privileges of being God's people, to whom God has given revelation (the festal shout is uttered in worship [cf. 27:6; 33:3]; they also have the light of God's face to guide their walk, i.e., lifestyle, and have received his name, i.e., the unveiling of his character [cf. Ex. 34:6-7]). God has also given them a special place in his plan for the world (they are exalted, and God pledges his strength on their behalf). The shield here is the king, whose task is to protect the people by representing them before God, embodying covenant faithfulness (cf. Ps. 84:9). Although the "shields" of all nations belong to God, Israel's king enjoys a distinctive role, just as Israel enjoys a distinctive role for the sake of the world. Holy One of Israel. See note on 71:22.