If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;

PSALMS 89:31KJV
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Psalms 89:31 (KJV)

What does Psalms 89:31 mean?

Psalms 89:31 says that if God’s people break His statutes and do not keep His commandments, there are consequences for turning away from what He has set out for them. The verse highlights the possibility that those in relationship with God might fail to follow His instructions.

In this psalm, the writer (Ethan the Ezrahite) is speaking to God about His covenant with David and David’s descendants. The verse is part of a section where God’s faithfulness is being described, even when His people are unfaithful. The focus is on the seriousness of disregarding God’s laws and the reality that God notices when His people do not live by what He has commanded.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 89:31

  • "break" (חָלַל, chalal): This word often means to profane or violate something sacred. Here, it emphasizes that ignoring God’s statutes is not just a mistake but a serious offense against what is holy.
  • "statutes" (חֻקָּה, chuqqah): This term refers to specific decrees or regulations God has established. It highlights that these are not general suggestions but set rules meant to be followed.
  • "keep" (שָׁמַר, shamar): This word means to guard, watch, or observe carefully. The verse points out that failing to "keep" God’s commandments is not just forgetting, but neglecting to actively protect and obey them.
  • "commandments" (מִצְוָה, mitsvah): This refers to God’s direct instructions or orders. The use of this word shows that these are clear expectations from God, not optional advice.

Why Psalms 89:31 matters

  • This verse makes clear that even those in a special covenant with God are not immune to the consequences of disobedience, correcting any idea that God’s promises mean automatic blessing no matter what.
  • The verse is part of a larger passage that balances God’s faithfulness with human responsibility, showing that God’s love does not cancel out the seriousness of ignoring His ways.
  • Understanding the original words helps readers see that the issue is not just about breaking rules, but about violating a sacred trust and relationship with God.

Where else these words appear

“statutes” Hebrew H2708 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
  • Leviticus 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.
  • 2 Kings 17:34 Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;

“break” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:31 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
  • Jeremiah 16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.