King James Version

What Does Psalms 89:33 Mean?

Psalms 89:33 in the King James Version says “Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. will: Heb. I will n...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 89 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. will: Heb. I will not make void from him to fall: Heb. to lie”

Psalms 89:33 · KJV

Context

31

If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; break: Heb. profane

32

Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

33

Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. will: Heb. I will not make void from him to fall: Heb. to lie

34

My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

35

Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. that: Heb. if I lie

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. The crucial turning point: after detailing discipline for covenant violation (vv. 30-32), God declares that punishment will not mean abandonment. Nevertheless (wə-ḥasdî, וְחַסְדִּי prefaced by the adversative waw) signals dramatic reversal. Despite deserved judgment, my lovingkindness (ḥasdî, חַסְדִּי)—that covenantal hesed (חֶסֶד), loyal love—will I not utterly take from him (lōʾ-ʾāp̄îr mê-ʿim-mô, לֹא־אָפִיר מֵעִמּוֹ). The verb pārar (פָּרַר) means to break, annul, make void, frustrate.

Nor suffer my faithfulness to fail uses wə-lōʾ-ʾăšaq-qêr be-ʾĕmûnāṯî (וְלֹא־אֲשַׁקֵּר בֶּאֱמוּנָתִי). The verb šāqar (שָׁקַר) means to deal falsely, act treacherously, lie. God's ʾĕmûnāh (אֱמוּנָה, "faithfulness") cannot fail—He cannot deny His own character or break His word. This echoes Numbers 23:19: "God is not a man, that He should lie...has He said, and will He not do it?"

This verse is the theological hinge of the Davidic covenant. Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God's hesed remains; despite human failure, divine ʾĕmûnāh stands firm. This is not because Israel deserves it but because of God's character and covenant oath. Paul references this in Romans 3:3-4: "What if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not!" God's covenant promise to David found ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the faithful Son who never broke covenant, guaranteeing eternal hesed for all who trust in Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Jerusalem fell in 586 BCE and the Davidic monarchy ended, it appeared God had broken His covenant. Psalm 89:38-51 expresses this anguish. Yet God's lovingkindness was not utterly removed—He preserved a remnant, brought them back from exile, maintained David's genealogical line through centuries of foreign rule, and ultimately sent Jesus, the Son of David, through whom the covenant promises were eternally secured. God's faithfulness did not fail, though tested through centuries of apparent silence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the word 'nevertheless' in this verse reveal the heart of the gospel—that God's love is not contingent on human faithfulness?
  2. What does it mean that God will not 'suffer His faithfulness to fail'—how is God's character the ultimate guarantee of His covenant promises?
  3. How does Jesus Christ embody both the judgment for covenant-breaking (bearing the rod and stripes) and the preservation of God's hesed and faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
וְ֭חַסְדִּי1 of 7

“Nevertheless my lovingkindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

לֹֽא2 of 7
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אָפִ֣יר3 of 7

“will I not utterly take”

H6331

to crush

מֵֽעִמּ֑וֹ4 of 7
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וְלֹֽא5 of 7
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֲ֝שַׁקֵּ֗ר6 of 7

“to fail”

H8266

to cheat, i.e., be untrue (usually in words)

בֶּאֱמוּנָתִֽי׃7 of 7

“from him nor suffer my faithfulness”

H530

literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 89:33 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 89:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 54:8-10Lamentations 3:31-322 Samuel 7:15Hebrews 6:18Jeremiah 33:20-261 Samuel 15:29

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