Psalms 89:37

Construction and meaning are doubtful. (1) The original passage in 2 Samuel 7:16 is in favour of making his thronethe subject to shall be established, and against the marginal alternatives of R.V., As the moon which is established for ever, and as the faithful witness in the sky: or, and is a faithful witness in the sky.

(2) The A.V., with which substantially agrees the R.V., And (as) the faithful witness in the sky, raises the question what is meant by -the faithful witness in the sky." Is it the sun, or the moon, or the rainbow? Or is it the fixed laws of nature which are appealed to in Jeremiah 31:35-36; Jeremiah 33:20 f., Jeremiah 33:25 f., as a symbol of the permanence of God's covenant with Israel and with David? This last explanation is the best, but it seems somewhat far-fetched; and the omission of the particle of comparison aspoints (3) to another rendering: And the witness in the sky is faithful. The witness is God Himself, Who thus confirms His promise with a final attestation. Cp. Jeremiah 42:5, "Jehovah be a true and faithful witnessagainst us": Job 16:19, "my witness is in heaven."