Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.
I WILL sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
8 O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
13 Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.
16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
18 For the Lord is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.
19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
21 With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.
22 The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
23 And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.
24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
38 But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.
39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.
40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.
41 All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.
42 Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
43 Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.
44 Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.
45 The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.
46 How long, Lord? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?
47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.
49 Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?
50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;
51 Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O Lord; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.
52 Blessed be the Lord for evermore. Amen, and Amen.

 

1Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for euer: with my mouth will I make knowen thy faithfulnesse to all generations.

2For I haue said, Mercie shall bee built vp for euer: thy faithfulnesse shalt thou establish in the very heauens.

3I haue made a couenant with my chosen: I haue sworne vnto Dauid my seruant.

4Thy seed will I stablish for euer: and build vp thy throne to all generations. Selah.

5And the heauens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulnes also in the congregation of the Saints.

6For who in the heauen can be compared vnto the Lord? who among the sonnes of the mightie can be likened vnto the Lord?

7God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the Saints: and to bee had in reuerence of all them that are about him.

8O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like vnto thee? or to thy faithfulnesse round about thee?

9Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waues thereof arise; thou stillest them.

10Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slaine: thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arme.

11The heauens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulnes thereof, thou hast founded them.

12The North and the South, thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall reioyce in thy Name.

13Thou hast a mighty arme: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.

14Iustice and iudgement are the habitation of thy throne: mercie and trueth shall goe before thy face.

15Blessed is the people that knowe the ioyfull sound: they shall walke O Lord in the light of thy countenance.

16In thy name shall they reioyce all the day: and in thy righteousnes shall they be exalted.

17For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy fauour our horne shall be exalted.

18For the Lord is our defence: and the holy One of Israel is our king.

19Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I haue laid helpe vpon one that is mightie: I haue exalted one chosen out of the people.

20I haue found Dauid my seruant: with my holy oile haue I anointed him.

21With whome my hand shall bee established: mine arme also shall strengthen him.

22The enemie shall not exact vpon him: nor the sonne of wickednesse afflict him.

23And I will beate downe his foes before his face: and plague them that hate him.

24But my faithfulnesse and my mercy shalbe with him: and in my name shall his horne be exalted.

25I will set his hand also in the sea: and his right hand in the riuers.

26He shall crie vnto mee, Thou art my father: my God, and the rocke of my saluation.

27Also I will make him my first borne: higher then the kings of the earth.

28My mercy will I keepe for him for euermore: and my couenant shall stand fast with him.

29His seed also will I make to indure for euer: and his throne as the dayes of heauen.

30If his children forsake my lawe, and walke not in my iudgements;

31If they breake my statutes, and keepe not my commandements:

32Then will I visite their transgression with the rod, and their iniquitie with stripes.

33Neuerthelesse, my louing kindnesse will I not vtterly take from him: nor suffer my faithfulnesse to faile.

34My couenant will I not breake: nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lippes.

35Once haue I sworne by my holinesse; that I will not lye vnto Dauid.

36His seede shall endure for euer; and his throne as the sunne before me.

37It shalbe established for euer as the Moone: and as a faithfull witnesse in heauen. Selah.

38But thou hast cast off and abhorred: thou hast bene wroth with thine anointed.

39Thou hast made voyd the couenant of thy seruant: thou hast profaned his crowne, by casting it to the ground.

40Thou hast broken downe all his hedges: thou hast brought his strong holds to ruine.

41All that passe by the way; spoile him: hee is a reproach to his neighbours.

42Thou hast set vp the right hand of his aduersaries: thou hast made all his enemies to reioyce.

43Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword: and hast not made him to stand in the battaile.

44Thou hast made his glory to cease: and cast his throne downe to the ground.

45The dayes of his youth hast thou shortned: thou hast couered him with shame. Selah.

46How long, Lord, wilt thou hide thy selfe, for euer? shall thy wrath burne like fire?

47Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vaine?

48What man is he that liueth, and shall not see death? shall he deliuer his soule from the hand of the graue? Selah.

49Lord, where are thy former louing kindnesses, which thou swarest vnto Dauid in thy trueth?

50Remember (Lord) the reproach of thy seruants: how I doe beare in my bosome the reproache of all the mighty people.

51Wherewith thine enemies haue reproached, O Lord: wherewith they haue reproached the foote-steppes of thine Annointed.

52Blessed be the Lord for euermore, Amen, and Amen.

I == Ps 89:4 ; 101:1 ; 119:90

 

II == Ps 119:89

 

III == 2nd Sam 7:11

 

IV == Luke 1:32-33

V == Rev 7:10-12

 

 

 

 

 

VIII == 1st Sam 2:2

 

IX == Ps 65:7 ; 93:3-4 ; 107:29

 

X == Ex 14:26-28 ; Ps 87:4 ; Isa 30:7 ; 51:9

 

XI == Gen 1:1 ; 1st Chr 29:11 ; Ps24:1-2 ; 50:12

XII == Josh 12:1 ; 19:22 ; Job 26:7

 

 

XIV == Ps 85:13 ; 97:2

 

XV == Num 10:10 ; 23:21 ; Ps 4:6 ; 44:3 ; 98:6

 

 

XVII == Ps 75:10 89:24 ; 92:10 ; 132:17

XVIII == Ps 47:9

XIX == 1st Kings 11:34 ; Ps 89:3

 

 

XX == 1st Sam 16:1-2

 

XXI == Ps 80:17

 

XXII == 2nd Sam 7:13

 

 

 

 

 

 

XXVI == 2nd Sam 7:14 ; 22:47

 

 

 

XXVIII == Isa 55:3

 

XXIX == Jer 33:17

 

 

 

 

XXXII == 2nd Sam 7:14 ; 1st Kings 11:31

 

XXXIII == 2nd Sam 7:13

 

 

 

 

 

XXXVI == 2nd Sam 7:16 ; Jer 33:20 ; Luke 1:33 ; John 12:34

 

 

 

 

XXXIX == Ps 74:7 ; Lam 5:16

XL == Ps 80:12

 

 

XLI == Ps 44:13 ; 79:4

 

 

 

 

 

 

XLIV == Ps 89:39

 

 

 

XLVI == Ps 79:5 ; 78:63

 

XLVII == Job 7:7 ; 10:9 ; 14:1 ; Ps 39:5 ; 119:84

XLVIII == Ps 49:9 ; Heb 11:5

 

XLIX == 2nd Sam 7:15 ; Ps 54:5 ; Isa 55:3

 

L == Ps 69:9 , 19

 

LI == Ps 74:22

 

 

 

LII == Ps 41:13

 

 

1 [Poem For Ethan the native-born] I shall sing the faithful love of Yahweh for ever, from age to age my lips shall declare your constancy,

2 for you have said: love is built to last for ever, you have fixed your constancy firm in the heavens.

3 'I have made a covenant with my Chosen One, sworn an oath to my servant David:

4    I   have made your dynasty firm for ever, built your throne stable age after age.

5 The heavens praise your wonders, Yahweh, your constancy in the gathering of your faithful.

6 Who in the skies can compare with Yahweh? Who among the sons of god can rival him?

7 God, awesome in the assembly of holy ones, great and dreaded among all who surround him,

8 Yahweh, God Sabaoth, who is like you? Mighty Yahweh, your constancy is all round you!

9 You control the pride of the ocean, when its waves ride high you calm them.

10 You split Rahab in two like a corpse, scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

11 Yours are the heavens and yours the earth, the world and all it holds, you founded them;

12 you created the north and the south, Tabor and Hermon hail your name with joy.

13 Yours is a strong arm, mighty your hand, your right hand raised high;

14 Saving Justice and Fair Judgement the foundations of your throne, Faithful Love and Constancy march before you.

15 How blessed the nation that learns to acclaim you! They will live, Yahweh, in the light of your presence.

16 In your name they rejoice all day long, by your saving justice they are raised up.

17 You are the flower of their strength, by your favour our strength is triumphant;

18 for to Yahweh belongs our shield, to the Holy One of Israel our king.

19 Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful you said: 'I have given strength to a warrior, I have raised up a man chosen from my people.

20 'I have found David my servant, and anointed him with my holy oil.

21 My hand will always be with him, my arm will make him strong.

22 'No enemy will be able to outwit him, no wicked man overcome him;

23 I shall crush his enemies before him, strike his opponents dead.

24 'My constancy and faithful love will be with him, in my name his strength will be triumphant.

25 I shall establish his power over the sea, his dominion over the rivers.

26 'He will cry to me, "You are my father, my God, the rock of my salvation!"

27 So I shall make him my first-born, the highest of earthly kings.

28 'I shall maintain my faithful love for him always, my covenant with him will stay firm.

29 I have established his dynasty for ever, his throne to be as lasting as the heavens.

30 'Should his descendants desert my law, and not keep to my rulings,

31 should they violate my statutes, and not observe my commandments,

32 'then I shall punish their offences with the rod, their guilt with the whip,

33 but I shall never withdraw from him my faithful love, I shall not belie my constancy.

34 'I shall not violate my covenant, I shall not withdraw the word once spoken.

35 I have sworn by my holiness, once and for all, never will I break faith with David.

36 'His dynasty shall endure for ever, his throne like the sun before me,

37 as the moon is established for ever, a faithful witness in the skies.

38 Yet you yourself -- you have spurned and rejected, and have vented your wrath on your anointed,

39 you have repudiated the covenant with your servant, dishonoured his crown in the dust.

40 You have pierced all his defences, and laid his strongholds in ruins,

41 everyone passing by plunders him, he has become the butt of his neighbours.

42 You have raised high the right hand of his opponents, have made all his enemies happy;

43 you have snapped off his sword on a rock, and failed to support him in battle.

44 You have stripped him of his splendid sceptre, and toppled his throne to the ground.

45 You have aged him before his time, enveloped him in shame.

46 How long, Yahweh, will you remain hidden? For ever? Is your anger to go on smouldering like a fire?

47 Remember me; how long have I left? For what pointless end did you create all the children of Adam?

48 Who can live and never see death? Who can save himself from the clutches of Sheol?

49 Lord, what of those pledges of your faithful love? You made an oath to David by your constancy.

50 Do not forget the insults to your servant; I take to heart the taunts of the nations,

51 which your enemies have levelled, Yahweh, have levelled at the footsteps of your anointed!

52 Blessed be Yahweh for ever. Amen, Amen.

Our family sings verse 1 as a chorus honoring God’s mercy and faithfulness.
Verses 1-4 This Psalm is by Ethan another Ezrahite, a Levite and singer, 1 Chr. 15:17-19, and a very wise man, 1 Kings 4:31. It is after some military defeat, but in his belief that the Lord is faithful, he reminds Him of His covenant with David.