Psalm 89: The Harmony of Ethan's Prayer and Yahweh's Response

Verses 33-34: "But I will not withdraw my love from him, nor will I betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips."

Psalm 89 is the prayer of Ethan the Ezrahite. In his distress, Ethan (representing Israel) questions whether Yahweh's first love and the promises made to David are still valid: "Lord, where are the signs of your former love? Where is the steadfast promise you made to David?" Yahweh's response is revealed in verse 33 and following: "I will not only refrain from withdrawing my love, but I will also faithfully keep the covenant I made."

If this response is not Yahweh's but rather Ethan's expectation, then it is nothing more than a meaningless hope. In fact, this issue is crucial to the existence of Christianity. If Yahweh is a projection resulting from the religious psychology of anxious humans seeking protection and safety, then Christianity is no different from Israel making a golden calf in the wilderness and worshiping it as a god. It is a situation where humans create their own gods and bow down to them. Therefore, verse 33 and the following verses are trapped within Ethan's mind, endlessly revolving in circles.

Above all, Ethan's expectation and Yahweh's response must be in harmony. More precisely, Yahweh must break through Ethan's expectations. This is the core of Christianity and the dividing line that determines whether Christianity is a religion or not. Yahweh must assert himself. Yahweh must break through Ethan. However, the aseity of Yahweh prepared by Ethan is meaningless, as it cannot escape Ethan's mind. Although it may not be a tangible image, Christianity must not lose the divine plan that breaks through Ethan's prayer (projection) rather than him.