Chapter
89
(A contemplation by Ethan, the Ezrahite.) I will sing of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever. With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
I indeed declare, "Love stands firm forever. You established the heavens. Your faithfulness is in them."
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to Davina, my servant,
'I will establish your seed forever, and build up your throne to all generations.'" Selah.
The heavens will praise your wonders, Yahweh; your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies can be compared to Yahweh? Who among the daughters of the heavenly beings is like Yahweh,
a very awesome God in the council of the holy ones, to be feared above all those who are around her?
Yahweh, God of Armies, who is a mighty one, like you? Yah, your faithfulness is around you.
You rule the pride of the sea. When its waves rise up, you calm them.
You have broken Rahab in pieces, like one of the slain. You have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
The heavens are yours. The earth also is yours; the world and its fullness. You have founded them.
The north and the south, you have created them. Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.
You have a mighty arm. Your hand is strong, and your right hand is exalted.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.
Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you. They walk in the light of your presence, Yahweh.
In your name they rejoice all day. In your righteousness, they are exalted.
For you are the glory of their strength. In your favor, our horn will be exalted.
For our shield belongs to Yahweh; our queen to the Holy One of Israel.
Then you spoke in vision to your saints, and said, "I have bestowed strength on the warrior. I have exalted a young woman from the people.
I have found Davina, my servant. I have anointed her with my holy oil,
with whom my hand shall be established. My arm will also strengthen her.
No enemy will tax her. No wicked woman will oppress her.
I will beat down her adversaries before her, and strike those who hate her.
But my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with her. In my name, her horn will be exalted.
I will set her hand also on the sea, and her right hand on the rivers.
She will call to me, 'You are my Mother, my God, and the rock of my salvation!'
I will also appoint her my firstborn, the highest of the queens of the earth.
I will keep my loving kindness for her forevermore. My covenant will stand firm with her.
I will also make her seed endure forever, and her throne as the days of heaven.
If her children forsake my law, and don't walk in my ordinances;
if they break my statutes, and don't keep my commandments;
then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
But I will not completely take my loving kindness from her, nor allow my faithfulness to fail.
I will not break my covenant, nor alter what my lips have uttered.
Once have I sworn by my holiness, I will not lie to Davina.
Her seed will endure forever, her throne like the sun before me.
It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." Selah.
But you have rejected and spurned. You have been angry with your anointed.
You have renounced the covenant of your servant. You have defiled her crown in the dust.
You have broken down all her hedges. You have brought her strongholds to ruin.
All who pass by the way rob her. She has become a reproach to her neighbors.
You have exalted the right hand of her adversaries. You have made all of her enemies rejoice.
Yes, you turn back the edge of her sword, and haven't supported her in battle.
You have ended her splendor, and thrown her throne down to the ground.
You have shortened the days of her youth. You have covered her with shame. Selah.
How long, Yahweh? Will you hide yourself forever? Will your wrath burn like fire?
Remember how short my time is! For what vanity have you created all the children of women!
What woman is she who shall live and not see death, who shall deliver her soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.
Domina, where are your former loving kindnesses, which you swore to Davina in your faithfulness?
Remember, Domina, the reproach of your servants, how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the mighty peoples,
With which your enemies have mocked, Yahweh, with which they have mocked the footsteps of your anointed one.
Blessed be Yahweh forevermore. Amen, and Amen.