The psalm here is referring to the promise God made to David right after David made his promise to God, to find a dwelling place for the Lord. It included both a conditional and an unconditional aspect. It was conditional in that God told David: “If your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever” (v. 12) History tells us that David’s sons did not keep the covenant, and therefore they did not keep the throne.
However, there was also an unconditional aspect to the promise, because verse 11 tells us: “The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: ‘One of your own descendants I will place on your throne” (v. 11). Despite the disobedience of David’s descendants, God’s promise will stand firm with David.
Jesus the Messiah, descended from David, will rule on the throne for ever and ever. Through Jesus, God has come to dwell in and with his people forever. This teaches us one very simple truth. All God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ and are yes and amen.
The Truth: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)
