This psalm is entitled “Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.” In the margin this is rendered, “A Psalm for Ethan the Ezrahite to give instruction.” On the word Maschil, see the notes at the title to Psalms 42:1-11. As both Heman (Psalms 88 title) and Ethan, in the title before us, are mentioned as Ezrahites, it would seem that they were of the same family, and were probably brethren. Ethan and Heman, in connection with Zimri, and Calcol, and Dara, five of them in all, are mentioned as “the sons of Zerah,” grandsons of Judah, 1 Chronicles 2:6. If these were the persons referred to, and if they were the authors of these two psalms, then the period of the composition of these psalms was laid far back in the history of the Hebrew people, far anterior to the time of David. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:6-12. It is hardly probable, however, that they were composed at so early a period in the Jewish history; and there are some things in this psalm, which cannot be reconciled with such a supposition (compare Psalms 89:3, Psalms 89:20, Psalms 89:35, Psalms 89:39, Psalms 89:49), and which make it certain that it was either composed by David, or after the time of David. The probability, therefore, seems to be that these names, “Heman” and “Ethan,” were either the names of some persons subsequent to the time referred to in 1 Chronicles 2:6, (see General Introduction, Section 2 (5)); or that these their names were given to classes of “the sons of Korah” who had charge of the music, and that the psalms were composed by some persons of those classes. As thus composed, they might be spoken of as the psalms of Heman and Ethan.
There are no certain methods of ascertaining when the psalm before us was composed, or what was the occasion of its composition. DeWette supposes that it must have been written about the time of the exile, as the family of David is represented in the psalm as dishonored and dethroned - and yet before the exile, as there is no mention of the destruction of the city and temple. He accords, therefore, with the opinion of Venema that it was not far from the time of the death of Josiah, 2 Chronicles 35:20-24. The author he supposes to be either a successor of David - an humbled monarch - or, someone who personates the king, and who represents the calamity of the king as his own. Hengstenberg also supposes that it was composed between the time of the death of Josiah and the Babylonian exile. There is a strong probability in the psalm itself that it was composed at such a period, but it is impossible to determine the exact time, or the precise occasion. The burden of the psalm is, that most precious promises had been made to David of the perpetuity of his throne, but that now these promises scorned to fail; that reverses and calamities had come which threatened to overturn his throne, and to bring his kingdom to an end. His “crown” had been “profaned” and “cast to the ground.” See Psalms 89:38-44.
The psalm consists properly of three parts:
I. The promise made to David in respect to the perpetuity of his throne, Psalms 89:1-37. The illustration of this occupies a considerable part of the psalm.
II. The fact that this promise seemed to be disregarded; that the “covenant” had been “made void;” that the “crown” had been “profaned,” and “cast to the ground,” Psalms 89:38-45.
III. An earnest plea for the divine interposition in the fulfillment of the promise, and the restoration of the divine favor and mercy, Psalms 89:46-52.