Psalms 89:34

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 89:34 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “My covenant will I not break, Nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

My covenant will I not break, Nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
Psalms 89:34 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 89

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34My covenant will I not break, Nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“My covenant will I not break, etc.] Not the covenant at Sinai, as Aben Ezra, but the covenant of grace made with Christ, and which stands fast with him, (<198903>Psalm 89:3,28), which is firm, sure, and stable, and as immovable as mountains and hills, and more so, (<102305>2 Samuel 23:5 <235410> Isaiah 54:10) or “profane” f1282 it, though his people profane his statutes, (<198931>Psalm 89:31), he will not profane his covenant; though they violate his laws, he is a God keeping covenant with them, and will not break his word with them: nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips; any promise of his, respecting either the temporal, spiritual, or eternal welfare of his people: or “not…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“My covenant will I not break - literally, I will not pollute, defile, profane. See the notes at Psalms 89:31, where the same word is used. God says that he will not do in regard to the covenant as they had done. Nor alter the thing ... - The promise which I have made. I will not make it a different thing. I will not modify its conditions, or withdraw it. It shall stand precisely as it was when I uttered it. What God promises will be exactly performed. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“covenant: Lev 26:44; Jer 14:21, Jer 33:20 nor: Num 23:19; Mal 3:6; Mat 24:35; Rom 11:29; Jam 1:17 Psalms 89:35”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification