The Gospel in the Old Testament Psalms - Psalms 87-89

 Psalms 89:13-16 (ESV)

You have a mighty arm;

strong is your hand, high your right hand.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;

steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,

who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face,

who exult in your name all the day

and in your righteousness are exalted.

Psalm 89 is about God’s steadfast love. It is especially highlighting the faithfulness of God in regard to His covenant with David.   In this song the writer sings praises to God for loving David and establishing his throne forever (through the Messiah, a descendent of David’s family).   Despite the failure of David (and he had many), God remained faithful to him.   As the section of the song states, God has a “mighty arm” and His faithfulness is based upon His “righteousness and justice.”   God is both “righteous” and “just.”   He can never not be “righteous.”   In order to remain “just” and still continue His steadfast love to David, he must someone how apply His own “righteousness” to David.  This is the Gospel.  Note how Paul will state it centuries later:

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV)

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

It is only with this truth that we can “walk, Oh Lord, in the light of your face.”   We can “exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted.”   This is the truth of the Gospel, written years before Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross for us.  But, the truth remains, He is righteous and just and applies that to those who believe in His name and His mighty work.