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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I will sing of your great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. For who in the skies above can compare with you? Who is like you among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones, you are greatly feared; you are more awesome than all who surround you. “O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you” (Ps 89:1–8 NIV). Praise the Lord! Today in Your Word Today you shared with me the psalms of Heman and Ethan. Heman was a singer in the choir known as “the sons of Korah” (cf. 1 Chr 6:31–33; 2 Chr 5:11–12), and he was famous for his wisdom (1 Kgs 4:31). Heman wrote Psalm 88, a lament psalm in which the speaker cries out day and night before you. This psalm is unique, for it is the only psalm in the Psalter that has no shift to thanksgiving, no vow of praise, and no expression of hope. However, woven throughout the psalm are clues that the speaker knows you to be a God of mercy and goodness. You are “the God of my salvation” (v. 1), you are a God who “works wonders” (v. 10), you have a “steadfast love” (v. 11), and you are faithful and righteous (vv. 11–12). This psalm teaches me that even when I’m discouraged and depressed, I can call out to you. You will hear my cry and show yourself faithful. Ethan the Ezrahite was also famous for his wisdom. He wrote Psalm 89, a psalm that celebrates your covenant with David and praises you for your mighty power. Toward the end, the psalm shifts abruptly from praise to sadness, and it speaks of a time when the king suffered humiliation: “But now you have cast off and rejected; you are full of wrath against your anointed. You have renounced the covenant with your servant; you have defiled his crown in the dust” (Ps 89:38–39). It is uncertain whether this was a reference to David’s humiliation at the hands of Absalom or a prophecy of some future trouble which would come to Judah’s king. In either case, the psalm ends by asking you to remember your steadfast love and faithfulness to David. This psalm teaches me to put my confidence in you. When circumstances seems to contradict your promise, I can rest assured that what you have said will come to pass (Ps 89:34–36). Reflection “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you” (Ps 89:14). Do my actions and attitudes reflect your character and bring glory to you? Request Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to accomplish great things for you! Thanksgiving Thank you for your loving-kindness and covenant faithfulness. “Blessed be the Lord forever!” In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Hold to God's Unchanging Hand” — Jennie Wilson. Meditation Verse: Psalm 89:13.