A Messianic Reading Of Psalm 89: A Canonical And Intertextual Study -- By: William C. Pohl IV

Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 58:3 (Sep 2015)
Article: A Messianic Reading Of Psalm 89: A Canonical And Intertextual Study
Author: William C. Pohl IV


A Messianic Reading Of Psalm 89:
A Canonical And Intertextual Study

William C. Pohl IV*

* William Pohl is OT teaching fellow at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2065 Half Day Road Deerfield, IL 60015 and adjunct instructor at Knox Theological Seminary, 5554 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308.

I. Introduction

Psalm 89 closes Book III of the Psalter, perhaps the most theologically challenging book of the Psalter due to its recurring laments over the perceived absence and silence of God. A “royal” psalm, Psalm 89 is found at one of the “seams” of the Psalter, and has been recognized as making a significant contribution to the overall theme and structure of the Psalter itself.1 Its canonical significance emerges also from its content. Interpreters consider Psalm 89 a lament over the failure of the Davidic covenant and the loss of the Davidic dynasty.2 This raises a number of questions regarding the nature of God vis-à-vis his promises to his people as a whole. Has the Davidic covenant failed? Has God reneged on his promises to his people? The psalmist is asking these very questions (89:39–52) in light of what he knows about God (89:6–19) and the glorious promise to David (89:20–38).3 These questions arise not just in light of the content of Psalm 89, but in light of the OT as a whole, which reveals a messianic hope rooted in Davidic and royal themes.4 If Psalm 89 laments the failure of the Davidic covenant, how does this square with the messianic hope found elsewhere that testifies to a coming king in the line of David?

In light of these considerations, what is the canonical significance of Psalm 89? The thesis presented here is threefold: (1) Psalm 89 is messianic in that it encourages

hope in a return for David in the midst of lament; (2) the psalm indicates the loss of the Davidic dynasty is only temporary and the covenant has not failed and is not broken; and (3) this messianic hope is rooted in God’s character and kingship, indicating th...

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