Psalm 89 is one of the longer psalms, with three main parts. The psalmist sings of the Lord's covenant with David in all three. The first part - in verses 1-18 - is a song of praise to the Lord for all that He is and has done. The second part - from verses 19-37 - is the Lord speaking in a vision to the holy one, presumably David. The third part - in verses 38-51 - is a desolate and strong outburst about the blessings which have become lost. This third section presents us with some challenges in understanding this psalm, but it ends on a high note, “Blessed be the Lord forevermore. Amen and Amen.”

The Psalm begins with praise for the Lord's mercies and faithfulness to all generations. The mercy of the Lord is from His infinite love for all whom He creates. Mercy sees our humanity and in that it sees and understands our strengths and weaknesses, our hopes and fears. We do not see as the Lord sees. The Lord is truly merciful. (Arcana Caelestia 587[2])

Then God speaks of the covenant which He has made with David, to build his throne to all generations. David is king of Israel, and the covenant is with the Lord's chosen people, called Israel. Spiritually, Israel stands for our conscious active spiritual life which has a relationship with the Lord, as the Lord has with that in us. This is the real covenant. (Arcana Caelestia 665, 666[1-2])

Verses 5-10 speak powerfully of the greatness of the Lord and also in what He does. A beautiful statement is in verse 9 with gospel echoes: "You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them.” See (Apocalypse Explained 275[8]) to understand what the raging seas signify.

Verses 11-18 concentrate on the Lord's creation, of heaven and earth and all that is in them, created in order and perfection. Those who live in His mercy and truth walk in the light of the Lord and rejoice in Him all day long. Spiritually, all this describes the joys of living spiritual lives in accord with the Lord and His Word. (Arcana Caelestia 5182)

The second part of the psalm tells of the Lord speaking in a vision which reveals His will and purposes. He has chosen one from the people, David, who shall be strong and wise, and the Lord's mercy and faithfulness shall be with him and in him. The spiritual meaning of this section is about the Lord in His humanity, 'My servant David' is the Lord Jesus Christ whose seed shall endure forever.

In another sense the spiritual meaning here is about our spiritual life and our obedience to the Lord as we cry, 'You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.’ (Verse 26)

Our spiritual life which is in covenant with the Lord is said to be the Lord's firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. (Verse 27) (See Arcana Caelestia 3325[4])

Towards the end of this second section, the Lord speaks about disobedience to Him. Disobedience brings a feeling punishment. Punishment is an appearance, and it is really the consequence of turning away from the Lord. We turn away from the Lord but the Lord doesn’t turn away from us. The Lord Himself will not utterly take His lovingkindness from him or fail in His faithfulness, for the Lord is love and mercy itself.

The third section breaks in at verse 38 and catalogues the disasters which are portrayed as the Lord's fury - the broken covenant, the exaltation of all the enemies, the end of glory and the reproach of being covered in shame. It is essential that we understand the focus of these violent words that seem to be coming from the Lord. This is a description of the state of the Jewish church at the time of the Lord, and the way in which they treated the Word and treated the Lord in His humanity. Being external, they held fast to a literal obedience to the Law and killed its life which is its spirit. And... on a personal scale, we may well sometimes come into states like that. (See True Christian Religion 246)

The last part of the psalm asks penetrating questions:

"How long, O Lord? Will You hide yourself forever?... For what futility have you created all the children of men?"

This finale is a turning back to the Lord after having seen how far from the Lord's way we can go. It asks the Lord to be faithful in covenant which He undoubtedly will always be, and for us to feel reproach but to seek the Lord even so. This brings the final blessing which rings loud and clear, "Blessed be the Lord for evermore. Amen and Amen." (See Apocalypse Revealed 23)