The Treasury of David
by C.H. Spurgeon
EXPOSITION OF THE PSALMS
(Psalms 89 Verse 39)
EXPOSITION
Verse 39. Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant. The dispensations of providence looked as if there had been a disannulling of the sacred compact, though indeed it was not so.
Thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground. The king had been subject to such sorrow and shame that his diadem had been as it were taken from his head, dashed on the earth, and rolled in the mire. He was a theocratic monarch, and the Lord, who gave him his crown, took it from him and treated it with contempt, -- at least so it seemed. In these sad days also we may utter the same complaint, for Jesus is not acknowledged in many of the churches, and usurpers have profaned his crown. When we hear of kings and queens set up as "heads of the church", and a priest styled "The Vicar of Christ", while parliaments and courts take upon themselves to legislate for the church of God, we may bitterly lament that things should come to so wretched a pass. Few are there who will acknowledge the crown rights of King Jesus, the very subject is considered to be out of date. O Lord how long!
EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS
Verse 39. Thou hast profaned his crown, etc. The crown of a king, (like that of the high priest, on which was inscribed "holiness to the Lord") (Exodus 28:36) was a sacred thing, and therefore to cast it in the dust was to profane it. --A.R. Fausset.
HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS
Verse 39.
- Providence may often seem to be at variance with promises.
- Promises are never at variance with providence. It is the covenant of thy servant and his crown still.
Verse 39. How the throne of King Jesus may be profaned.