Psalms 89:8

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 89:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “O Jehovah God of hosts, Who is a mighty one, like unto thee, O Jehovah? And thy faithfulness is round about thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

O Jehovah God of hosts, Who is a mighty one, like unto thee, O Jehovah? And thy faithfulness is round about thee.
Psalms 89:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 89

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8O Jehovah God of hosts, Who is a mighty one, like unto thee, O Jehovah? And thy faithfulness is round about thee.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“O Lord God of hosts, etc.] Of all the hosts of heaven, the sun, moon, and stars, and of all the heavenly hosts of angels, of all the armies in heaven, and the inhabitants of the earth: who is a strong Lord like unto thee? he is Jah, or Jehovah, and he alone is so, and is the most High in all the earth, (<198318>Psalm 83:18) and there is none like him for his great power and strength, by which he has made the heavens and the earth, and upholds them in their being; and by which he has redeemed his people, plucked them out of the hands of sin and Satan, and preserves them safe to his kingdom and glory: (see <184009>Job 40:9 <234015> Isaiah 40:15,17,18), or to thy faithfulness round about thee;…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“O Lord God of hosts - See the notes at Isaiah 1:9; Psalms 24:10. God, commanding the armies of heaven; leading forth the stars; controlling all forces - all powers. Who is a strong Lord like unto thee? - The original word here rendered “Lord” is יה Yâhh, or Jah. This is one of the few places where that word occurs, except in the compounding of words. It is an abbreviation of the name Yahweh, and has the same signification. See the notes at Psalms 68:4. The meaning is, that there was no one who in respect to power could be compared with Yahweh. Or to thy faithfulness round about thee? - Rather, “thy faithfulness is round about thee.” That is, It attends thee at all times; it is always with…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Round thee - Like a girdle encompassing thee. It appears in all thy words and works. Psalms 89:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“O Lord: Psa 84:12; Jos 22:22; Isa 28:22 a strong: Psa 89:13, Psa 24:8, Psa 147:5; Sa1 15:19; Job 9:19; Isa 40:25, Isa 40:26; Jer 32:17; Mat 6:13 like: Psa 89:6, Psa 35:10, Psa 71:19; Deu 32:31; Sa1 2:2 Psalms 89:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification