John Calvin Commentary Psalms 89:5

"And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Jehovah; Thy faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones." — Psalms 89:5 (ASV)

And the heavens shall praise thy wondrous work. The prophet, having spoken of God’s covenant, just as faith ought to begin with the word, now turns to a general commendation of his works. It should be noted, however, that when he discusses the wonderful power of God, his only purpose is to further exalt and magnify the holiness of the covenant.

He exclaims that this is the God who rightly deserves to be served and feared, who ought to be believed, and in whose power the most unhesitating confidence can be placed. Therefore, I would limit the words wondrous work, in the first clause, to the power that God displays in preserving and maintaining his Church.

The heavens, it is true, are most excellent witnesses and preachers of God’s wonderful power. However, by considering the scope of the passage, it becomes even more evident that the praises expressed here all specifically refer to the purpose I have mentioned. Some interpreters judiciously explain the word heavens as referring to the angels, among whom there is shared joy and congratulation over the salvation of the Church.

This interpretation is confirmed by the last clause of the verse, in which it is asserted that God’s truth will be celebrated in the congregation of the saints. There is no doubt that the same subject is continued here, and that by the word truth, the intention is to highlight the remarkable deliverances by which God had manifested his faithfulness to the promises made to his servants.