5. Christ Jesus: the Holy One of the Covenant Psalm 89:19-29

Text: “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. I have found David My servant; with My holy oil have I anointed him: with whom My hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.”

Psalm 89:19-21.

Good morning, Bible-studying Christian!  When the Lord God of the Everlasting Covenant called you and I with His effectual call to Salvation in Christ Jesus – we immediately followed after Him, as did the disciples of Jesus in an earlier period of history.

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:17-20)

You and I were, in some manner, brought under the sound/sight of God’s Word – contained in the 66 Canonical Books of our King James Bible – and by reading, or hearing God’s Word preached – we received God’s gift of faith; faith to believe and receive Jesus Christ as our own and personal Saviour and Lord. (Romans 10:13)

“So then faith cometh by hearing (reading), and hearing by the Word of God.”    (Romans 10:17)

“But as many as received Him (into their company), to them gave He power (faith) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name: which were born, not of blood (family), nor of the will of man (human decisions), but of God.”  (John 1:12-13)

Having personally experienced the Divine power and transforming wonder of the written Word of God, you and I quickly became lovers of God’s Word; hungry students of our Bibles; we developed a deep Spiritual hunger for knowledge of God through His Word and, in obedience to Him, we study it constantly in fellowship with the Christ of our Covenant.

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the Living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2)

From our increased Bible knowledge, we have come to understand that the Lord often speaks to us, ‘His people’, in visionary language; in Old Testament types; in words that can be figurative, symbolic, or just plain ordinary speech.

In Psalm 89, therefore, we find the Lord God speaking to us, using King David as a type of the Lord Jesus Christ Who would come to us hundreds of years later in human form.

Verse 19. “I have exalted one chosen out of the people. David was God’s elect, elect out of the people as one of themselves, and elect to the highest position in the state.  In his extraction, election, and exaltation, he was an eminent type of the Lord Jesus, Who is the Man of the people, the chosen of God, and the King of His church. Whom God exalts, let us exalt.  Woe unto those who despise Him; they are guilty of contempt of court before the Lord of Hosts, as well as of rejecting the Son of God.”  (C.H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, page 373)

Verse 21. “With Whom My hand shall be established. I love the lyrics of the old hymn, ‘The church’s one foundation’, written in 1866 by Samuel John Stone: “The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is His new creation, by water and the Word.’ from heav'n he came and sought her to be his holy bride; with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.”  (Samuel John Stone, 1866)

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”             (1 Corinthians 3:10-11)

Verse 22. “The enemy (Satan) shall not exact upon Him; nor the son of wickedness afflict Him.”  Who does not in all this see a type of the Lord Jesus, Who, though He was once seized for our debts and also evil entreated by the ungodly, is now so exalted that He can never be exacted upon anymore, neither can the fiercest of His enemies vex Him again. No Judas can now betray Him to death; no Pilate can deliver Him to be crucified.  Satan cannot tempt Him, and our sins cannot burden Him.” (C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, page 373)

Verse 25. “I will set His hand also in the sea, and His right hand in the rivers. A certain artist was in the habit of saying that he should represent Alexander in such a manner, that in one hand he should hold a city and from the other pour a river. Christ is represented here as of immense stature, higher than all mountains, with one hand holding the earth, and the other the sea, while from Eastern sea to Western, He extends His arms.” (Thomas Le Blanc -1869)

Verse 26. “He shall cry unto Me, Thou art My Father. When did David call God his Father? It is striking that we do not find anywhere in the Old Testament that the patriarchs or prophets called God their Father.  You do not find them addressing Him as Father: they did not know Him as such…It was after Christ said, “I ascend unto My Father, and your Father.”, that believers were enabled to look up to God and to say, “Abba, Father.”  Here you see distinctly that this applies to Christ. He was the first to say this: David did not say it.  If there were no other proof in the whole Psalm, that one clause would be a demonstration to me that no other man than the Lord Jesus Christ can be here spoken of.” (Capel Molyneux, 1855)

Verse 27. “Also, I will make Him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can be called, and in fact is, King of all kings, and Lord of all lords. Hallelujah! Give God the glory! The Lord Jesus Christ is the guarantor of God’s Covenant!

“And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in Blood: and His Name is called The Word of God…And He hath on his vesture and on His thigh a Name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:13;16) Jesus Christ: the Word made flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.  (John 1:1-14) The Holy One of the Covenant.

Thought: Verse 29. “His seed (You and me, Christian) also will I make to endure forever.” He/she that believeth on the Father and the Son – hath everlasting life. Glory.

4.Triune God: The Glory of the Covenant! Psalm 89:17-18

Text: “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the Heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the Kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as Head above all.”                                                                                 1 Chronicles 29:11.

          “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

Matthew 6:13.

Good morning, glory-giving Christian!  One thing that sets you out among many other professing Christians, is the fact that both you and the author have been taught, Spiritually, to at all times give the Lord God ALL the glory and all the praise for any small service we have been empowered by Him to achieve in our individual ministries for Christ.

I remember well shaking hands with congregations all over the great state of Texas and Alabama while undertaking Church speaking-engagements out there – American Christians really show guest Pastors and speakers a whole-hearted appreciation for services given; and God’s Word forthrightly spoken in plain-speaking forthrightness, is highly prized.

Many would have hugged the life out me at the doors, and enthused on how blessed they had been by my ministry to them, as the menfolk shook my hand until it nearly dropped off after the engagement was over!  Bless their hearts, I really enjoyed serving Christ in that great land, and harbour many extremely fond memories of my Missions over there; and my sweet fellowship with such wonderful and genuine Christ-loving Christians.

However, one thing those beloved believers will remember about my times of service over there, is how I IMMEDIATELY gave the Lord God all the glory, for any profitable word I was able to preach or teach at any given venue. I would immediately respond with, “Yes, isn’t the Lord God good?” Or “Yes, praise God for His enablement!” All glory belongs unto the Living Lord God, Jehovah – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Praise be to His Name!

Woe unto me, if I covet, or seek to receive, the glory that belongs at all times to the Lord God Himself. Without Him, I could do NOTHING. Without Him we are NOTHING!  Glory, glory, glory to the Triune Lord God – Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

“Abide in Me (Christ Jesus), and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.  I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth (abides, and continues to abide) in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do NOTHING.”  (John 15:4-5)

Verse 17. “For Thou art the glory of their strength. Ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ – if true to the full inspiration and belief of God’s Word – know the truth of this verse very well.  How often we Pastors, Bible Teachers, Sunday-School Teachers; and witnessing servants of Christ have FELT as though we had no whit of strength left to serve the Lord in our duties for any particular day.  Then, God’s Word comes drifting into our tired, or deflated minds, and we are at once renewed in spirit and ready to go forth to do Spiritual Battle for the souls of our hearers. The promises of God strengthen ‘His people’ and bring fresh glory to His Name.

“Fear thou not; for I AM with thee: be not dismayed; for I AM thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.  Behold (look, and fully understand), all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as a nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.”                  (Isaiah 41:10-11)

The Triune Lord (Three distinct Divine Persons in the Godhead, yet only ONE God) – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost – the Lord God of this great Covenant Psalm, has committed His promises contained in the sixty-six Canonical Books of our King James Version Bible, to us, ‘His people’. 

In obedience and faith as believing Christians, we can call upon the Lord God of the Covenant to strengthen us, as He has promised in His Word to do so, yet, at all times according to His Divine timing and perfectly Sovereign will.  Fact.  Glory to the Lord.

Here is just one Bible event in which all Three Persons of the Trinity, the unified Lord God, are mentioned: and this by the mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself:

“When they (the disciples/eye-witness apostles) therefore were come together, they asked of Him (Christ Jesus), saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, ‘It is not for you to know the times and the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”           (Acts 1:6-8)

Anyone, even those that are professing to be Christians, that come to you trying to teach you that there is no Trinity in the Divine Godhead – have no fellowship with them!  They are deceivers and teachers of ‘another Gospel’, and are not even to be bidden ‘God speed’. BE warned! Here is what the true apostle John had to say about them: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  If any come unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him/her not into your house, neither bid him/her God speed: for him/her that biddeth him/her God speed is a partaker of his/her evil deeds.” (2 John 9-11)

The Lord God of the Covenant between Almighty God and fallen mankind is a Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Let us seek at all times to give this Lord God all the glory, praise, thanksgiving and service we possibly can, continually.  Hallelujah!  Glory…

Verse 17. “In Thy favour our horn shall be exalted.” "Thou art the glory of their strength," that is, "thou art their strength, and it is their glory that thou art so, and what they glory in." Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph. "In thy favour, which through Christ we hope for, our horn shall be exalted." The horn denotes beauty, plenty, and power; these those have, who are made accepted in the beloved. What greater preferment are men capable of in this world than to be God's favourites?”  (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Psalms, 1662-1714)

Verse 17. “For Thou art the glory of their strength. In other words, any Spiritual strength you and I, as born-again Christians possess, is given to us by the Living Lord God.  Therefore, the God of the Covenant, Great Jehovah Lord God, must receive all the glory and praise for any small service we Christians are enabled of Him to perform.  Glory to the Lord! The Lord God IS the glory of His Covenant with us, ‘His people’. 

Thought: Verse 18. “For the Lord is our defence and the Holy One of Israel is our King.” With God as our defence, let us go forth, boldly, and proclaim His glory.  Our primary allegiance is not to puny man, but to the Almighty Lord God.

3. The People of God’s Covenant Psalm 89:15-16

Text: “And I will give them an heart to know Me, and that I am the Lord: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto Me with their whole heart.”

Jeremiah 24:7.

          “And she (Mary) shall bring forth a son, and thou (Joseph) shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21.

Good morning, True Christian people of God’s Covenant! The Lord has given you and I born again hearts to know Him – in Christ Jesus – and to become ‘His people’; forgiven and freed from our vile sins; redeemed by Christ’s sinless Blood Sacrifice at Calvary’s Cross; and on our way to the glory of Heaven, and all by God’s matchless and Sovereign grace. Hallelujah!  Is not this great cause for our deep rejoicing?  Hallelujah!  Thanks be to the Lord God!

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.”  (Psalm 103:1-5)

The true Christian people of God’s Eternal Covenant should now rejoice and give thanks.  Mere professors of false faith can examine their pathetic reasons not to do so.

Verse 15. “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound…” These mentioned ‘people’ are those chosen by the Lord God from before the foundations of the world, elected, according to His Own Sovereign will and grace to be redeemed by Christ; given to Christ in Eternity before any of us were ever BORN of fallen Adam/Eve; and saved by the Lord Jesus in time, and all according to God’s Sovereign grace and will.

Mankind has no input in such a choice or such a truly wonderful Eternal Salvation plan.  God is God, and He does just whatsoever He, as God, choses to do in all circumstances and ages of mere time.  Amen.

“But our God is in the Heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.” (Psalm 115:3)

“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him. In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:10-12)

Verse 15. “…They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance. The people of God’s Covenant seek to walk with Him in close fellowship continually.  He is pure and Holy Light, and genuine Christians should always endeavour to sanctify ourselves, that we might walk in that Holy Light with the One Who has redeemed us from our sin.  We sanctify ourselves by confession of our sins, to Him alone; forsaking of those sins; and being washed by a washing of the Word in daily Bible study.  The open Bible is a means of Spiritual washing. (John 15:3)

“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”  (1 John 1:6-7)

Verse 16. “In Thy Name shall they rejoice all the day. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) Note that it is “…in Christ’s Name…” we can rejoice.  And what a Name that is to rejoice in!  This same Lord Jesus Christ Who has gone to the Cross bearing all our sins away; and suffered, and was brutalised to take the full punishment of what our sins deserved; Who died a death that only He could die in our place, and as our Substitute – and, HALLELUJAH, rose again from the dead on the third day, to justify ‘His people’ in the Holy Presence of Almighty God from all our sins and guilt and shame. 

Do these Gospel facts not make your heart to fully rejoice, dear Reader?  It certainly does mine.  Glory to the Lamb Who is worthy!  All praise and thanks be to our gracious Lord God!  Amen.  The Lord has made a Covenant with us, ‘His people’.  Thanks be to His Name.

The Gospel: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) God’s Word is truth.

The Gospel is merely good news that our Heavenly Father sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to live a Holy life; die a cruel death on a Cross; and rise again by His power to prove that Salvation is being offered to all ‘His people’, for the full forgiveness of our sins.  Surely this makes our redeemed souls to truly rejoice?  Hallelujah!  Salvation is of the Lord!

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.”  (Psalm 103:1-5)  Can you say ‘Amen’ to this, Reader?

Verse 16. “…In Thy righteousness shall they be exalted. Please note that it is ‘…in His righteousness’ that believers shall be exalted, for we have no righteousness of our own!  The person who seeks to exalt him or herself in their own perceived righteousness is a FOOL.  God’s inspired Word clearly teaches us the fact that, “…There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are ALL gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-12)

Note: The Lord God is the One Who does the seeking of ‘His people’.  He alone is the ‘good Shepherd Who gives His life for the sheep’!  If it were down to us, we would never have sought the Lord God, or even believed that He existed!  God the Holy Spirit has to ‘quicken’ us first, before we will ever recognise our vile sins, God’s absolute righteousness and wrath against sin; and become aware of the fearful judgement that must surely come upon all that are never granted faith to believe in Christ and Him Crucified for the sins of ‘His people’.

Christ teaches us: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (Holy Spirit) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. When He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement.”  (John 16:7-8)

Thought: God’s power awakens ‘His people’ to know and to receive His great Covenant of Salvation in Jesus Christ, the only way, truth, and life Eternal.  Amen.