Psalm 89

Psalm 89 is a long and thoughtful prayer. It starts by praising God for His love and faithfulness. The writer remembers God’s promise to King David. God said that David’s family would rule forever. This gave hope to the people.

But then the psalm takes a turn. Things are not going well. The people feel like God has forgotten His promise. Their king is weak. Their enemies are winning. They are confused and sad. They wonder if God is still with them.

The writer talks openly about this pain. He does not hide his questions. He remembers the past, but he also feels lost in the present. He wants to trust, but it is hard. Still, he keeps praying. He brings all his worries to God.

This psalm helps us when we feel the same way. It reminds us that we can talk to God honestly. We can praise Him and still ask questions. We can trust that He listens, even in hard times.

This psalm comes at the end of Book III in the Book of Psalms. The psalms are grouped into five books. Book III includes Psalms 73 to 89. Many of these psalms deal with trouble, questions, and pain. They ask why God allows suffering. Psalm 89 is the last psalm in this section. It ends the book with a deep cry for help.

The writer of this psalm is named Ethan the Ezrahite. We don’t know much about him. He may have been a wise man or a temple singer during King David’s time or later. His name shows up in other parts of the Bible too. But in this psalm, he speaks for the people.

This prayer may have been written when Israel was in great trouble. The kingdom may have been falling apart. Their king may have been defeated. The people were trying to make sense of it all. Why was God’s promise to David not working out?

This psalm holds both memory and pain. It remembers God’s promise but also feels the loss. It helps us understand how people long ago prayed when they were confused, just like we do today.

This psalm talks a lot about promises. At the start, it praises God for His faithfulness. It remembers the covenant with David. God promised that a king from David’s family would rule forever. Catholics believe this promise points to Jesus. He is the King who lives forever.

The psalm also shows how people struggle when it feels like God is not keeping His promise. Life gets hard. Their king is in trouble. They feel forgotten. Catholics understand this feeling. Sometimes we pray and wait, but it seems like God is silent.

Even in sadness, the psalm keeps talking to God. This is important in our faith. We are called to trust God’s plan, even when we don’t understand it. Jesus also prayed in pain. He trusted the Father, even in His suffering. The psalm reminds us to stay close to God, no matter what.

Another theme is faith across time. The writer remembers what God has done in the past. He hopes God will act again. This is how the Church prays too. We remember the stories of faith and look ahead with hope. God is faithful, even when things feel broken.

This psalm speaks to people today. Many of us feel like the writer. We see trouble in the world. We feel let down. We ask where God is. Sometimes prayers seem unanswered. Sometimes promises feel far away.

Catholics still believe in God’s promise. We believe Jesus is the King who saves us. But we also wait for His return. We live in that in-between time. The psalm reminds us that it’s okay to feel confused. It’s okay to ask questions and to pray honestly.

This prayer teaches us to keep going. Even when things don’t make sense, we can still talk to God. We can still sing of His love and ask Him for help. We don’t have to pretend everything is fine. God can handle our doubts.

The Church prays psalms like this to help us stay faithful. When we are tired, this psalm gives us words. It reminds us that we are not alone in waiting. Others have waited too—and trusted God through it all.

When I Don’t Understand

God, I know You are good.
I’ve heard the stories.
You keep Your promises.
You never leave.

But some days are hard.
Friends walk away.
Plans fall apart.
I wonder where You are.

I still want to trust You.
Even when I feel lost.
Even when things don’t make sense.
Help me hold on.

You stayed with David.
You sent Jesus to lead us.
Stay with me too.
Walk with me today.

Thank You for listening.
Thank You for staying close.
Even in the silence.
Even in the waiting.

Parts of this psalm are used in the Mass. The Church prays it during different times of the year. Some verses are joyful. They praise God’s love and faithfulness. These are read when we remember God’s promises and His care for His people.

Other verses come from the middle of the psalm. These show sadness and confusion. They speak of pain and waiting. These are read when the readings focus on struggle or feeling lost. They remind us that even in hard times, we can still pray and trust.

This mix of joy and sorrow is why the Church keeps using this psalm. It fits many moments in life. It helps us stay close to God, no matter how we feel.

The words of this psalm connect us with people of the past. They also give us hope today. Whether we are praising or crying, this psalm helps us pray.

4th Sunday of Advent Year B

A Promise That Lasts Forever

Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 celebrates God’s faithfulness. It remembers His promise to David—a promise that his family would last forever. Catholics believe this promise is fulfilled in Jesus, who comes from David’s line. During Advent, we wait for the birth of Jesus, the King who will reign forever.

The psalm also speaks of God’s kindness that never ends. It shows how God’s love and care go on through every generation. Even when people struggle, God stays true to His word. This message gives us hope as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Joy in God’s Strength

Psalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 gives praise to God for His lasting love and faithfulness. It celebrates His promises that never fail. God’s kindness is not just for the past but for every generation. We remember that His goodness is always with us, even when life is hard or unclear.

The psalm also lifts up those who stay close to God. It says they walk in His light and rejoice in His name. God gives strength and protection to His people. He is their shield and King. This is a reminder that we are never alone. God’s care gives us joy and confidence every day.

At Weekday Masses

• Advent Weekday on December 24 – Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29: Singing of God’s Faithfulness
• Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary – Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 25 and 27: Covenant with David
• St. Mark the Evangelist – Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17: Eternal Faithfulness of the Lord
• Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter – Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27: Singing of the Lord’s Goodness
• Wednesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time II – Psalm 89:4-5, 27-28, 29-30: Enduring Covenant with David
• Saturday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time II – Psalm 89:4-5, 29-30, 31-32, 33-34: God’s Unfailing Love
• Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time II – Psalm 89:2, 16-17, 18-19: Joy in the Lord’s Presence
• Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time II – Psalm 89:20, 21-22, 25-26: God’s Promise to David
• Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time II – Psalm 89:20, 21-22, 27-28: God’s Choice of David

The Forgotten Crown

This powerful image, inspired by the message of Psalm 89, captures the beauty and sorrow of a promise that seems lost but not forgotten. It’s perfect for illustrating themes of trust, waiting, and faith in God’s lasting covenant. You can download this image to use in your parish bulletin, newsletter, or classroom resource.

Let this image spark reflection and prayer in your community.

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Why does Psalm 89 start with praise and end in sadness?

The writer begins by thanking God for His love and promises. But later, he feels like God is far away. Life is hard, and things don’t seem fair. The psalm shows both hope and pain. It teaches us that we can talk to God in every feeling.

What promise is Psalm 89 talking about?

God promised David that his family would rule forever. This is called a covenant. Catholics believe this promise is fulfilled in Jesus. He is the King who lives forever and brings salvation to the world.

Why is this psalm important to Catholics?

It reminds us that it’s okay to pray when we feel sad or confused. We don’t always have to be happy when we come to God. We can still trust Him and keep praying, just like the writer of this psalm did.

Do Catholics use this psalm at Mass?

Yes. Parts of it are used in the readings during Mass. Sometimes we hear the joyful verses. Other times, we hear the sad ones. Both help us pray and stay close to God.

What can I learn from this psalm?

You can learn to trust God even when things are hard. You can be honest in prayer. And you can remember that God keeps His promises, even when it takes time.

Psalm 89 begins with praise. The writer remembers God’s love and the promise made to David. God said that someone from David’s family would rule forever. The writer celebrates this and praises God’s faithfulness.

But things change in the middle of the psalm. The people are struggling. Their king is weak. Enemies are winning. It looks like God’s promise is broken. The writer feels confused and sad. He asks why God has turned away.

Even in sorrow, the writer keeps praying. He remembers what God has done in the past. He hopes God will act again. He still believes God hears him, even when nothing makes sense.

For Catholics, this psalm points to Jesus. We believe He is the King from David’s line. He rules forever. This psalm reminds us to trust in that promise, even when life feels hard. It also teaches us that honest prayer matters, even when we are hurting.

Take a few quiet minutes and read Psalm 89. Let the words speak to your own joys and struggles. Notice how the psalm moves from praise to sorrow, and still ends in prayer.

Have you ever felt like God was far away? Have you kept praying anyway? Share your thoughts in the comments. Your story could help someone else who feels the same way.