Psalms 89:30

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 89:30 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If his children forsake my law, And walk not in mine ordinances;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If his children forsake my law, And walk not in mine ordinances;
Psalms 89:30 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 89

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30If his children forsake my law, And walk not in mine ordinances;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If his children forsake my law, etc.] The same with the seed before mentioned, the children of the Messiah: it is not said “if he forsakes”, which cannot be supposed of Christ, because he knew no sin, nor did any; which yet might be supposed of David, had he been literally meant; but not he, nor his natural children, but the spiritual seed of mystical David, are here designed, who may sin, and do sin, of which there is too much proof and evidence; and who sin not only through infirmity, but sometimes very grossly, and which sins are here expressed by various phrases: they sometimes “forsake the law of God”; do not attend to it, as they should, as the rule of their walk and conversation; are…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If his children - His posterity; his successors on the throne. Forsake my law - If they are not regulated by it in the administration of their government, and in their private lives. It is here supposed that they might forsake his law, or fail to observe it; but still there is the assurance that the power would not depart permanently from the successors of David, but that it would be restored ultimately to that line, and be permanent and eternal. And walk not in my judgements - And do not obey my commandments. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“89:30-37 The Lord disciplines but does not reject his erring children. He foresees violation of trust and subsequent punishment, but he commits himself to uphold the covenant. His fidelity to David corresponds to his faithfulness to the created order.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“If: Psa 132:12; Sa2 7:14; Ch1 28:9; Ch2 7:17-22 forsake: Psa 119:53; Pro 4:2, Pro 28:4; Jer 9:13-16 walk: Eze 18:9, Eze 18:17, Eze 20:19; Luk 1:6 Psalms 89:31”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Now follows the paraphrase of Sa2 7:14, that the faithlessness of David's line in relation to the covenant shall not interfere with (annul) the faithfulness of God - a thought with which one might very naturally console one's self in the reign of Rehoboam. Because God has placed the house of David in a filial relationship to Himself, He will chastise the apostate members as a father chastises his son; cf. Pro 23:13. In Ch1 17:13 the chronicler omits the words of Sa2 7:14 which there provide against perverted action (העוות) on the part of the seed of David; our Psalm proves their originality. But even if, as history shows, this means of chastisement should be ineffectual in the case of…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification