Psalms 89:35

“Once have I sworn by my holiness, etc.] Swearing is ascribed to God after the manner of men, and is done in condescension to the weakness of his people, and to remove doubts and hesitations from them, relating to things spiritual and eternal; as to his everlasting love to them, his covenant with them in Christ, and their perseverance in his grace; and it is made by himself, or one or other of his perfections, as here by his “holiness”; (see <300402>Amos 4:2), and indeed his holiness being his nature, is no other than he himself, the holy God; and because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, that as sure as he was, and was holy, just, and true, he would make good what he…”

“Once have I sworn by my holiness - That is, once for all; - a single oath - an oath once taken by me - makes it certain. To swear by his “holiness” is to pledge his own holy nature; to make it as certain as that he is holy; to stake the whole question of his holiness on that. That is, If this should not be accomplished - if he should fail in this - it would prove that he was not a holy God. That I will not lie unto David - Margin, as in Hebrew, “if I lie.” The meaning is, He would be found faithful to the promise. See Psalms 89:3-4; compare 2 Samuel 7:8-16. return to 'Top of Page'”

“89:35 holiness: The Lord is wholly distinct from the created order (22:3); his character is totally pure. He does as he pleases (115:3), and he chooses to be faithful (89:1; 115:1); therefore, he cannot lie.”

“Once: Psa 110:4, Psa 132:11; Amo 4:2, Amo 8:7; Heb 6:13, Heb 6:17 that I will not lie: Heb. If I lie, Th2 2:13; Tit 1:2 Psalms 89:36”