Read Psalm 89:27-32, 38-46 and Psalm 132:10-12. What is the Davidic covenant about? What seems to have endangered it?

 The Davidic covenant contains God’s promise of everlasting support of David’s line and prosperity of God’s people (1 Sam. 7:5-16; Ps. 89:1-4, 19-37; Ps. 132:12-18). The permanence of the covenant was established on God’s solemn oath and the king’s faithfulness to God. However, even the devoted kings, such as King David, were not always faithful to the Lord. Psalm 89 laments over the harsh reality that seems to indicate that the glorious promises of the Davidic covenant have been lost. Is Israel hopelessly deserted by God? The answer, of course, is—no!

 God’s wrath is, yes, an expression of divine judgment (Ps. 38:1, Ps. 74:1). Yet, it does not last forever because God’s everlasting love forgives people’s sins when people repent. However, while it lasts, God’s discontent with His erring people is serious. The people feel the bitter consequences of their disobedience and realize the gravity of their sins (Ps. 89:38-46). Yet, they ask, “How long?” appealing to the passing character of God’s wrath (Ps. 89:46). Renewed hope springs from new assurance in God’s faithfulness to “remember” His grace (Ps. 89:47, 50).

 In short, although the human component of the covenant failed, the people could rest in the promise of God’s unchanging purposes through the Messiah, who embodies all righteousness and salvation of Israel and of the whole world. That is, in the end, God will prevail, and His eternal kingdom will be established forever—but only because of Jesus and not because of God’s people.

 Jesus Christ is the Son of David and the Messiah (Matt. 1:1, Heb. 1:8). He is called “the firstborn over all creation” (Col. 1:15, NKJV), alluding to Psalm 89:27, which calls David, who was a type of Christ, God’s firstborn. “Also I will make him My firstborn, / The highest of the kings of the earth” (NKJV).

 Clearly the title “firstborn” does not express David’s biological status, because David was the eighth child of his parents (1 Sam. 16:10, 11). It’s the same with Jesus. This title signifies His special honor and authority (Col. 1:16, 20-22). God made Jesus the supreme King over the whole world when He raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:30, 31).