or alter the utterance of My lips
This phrase underscores the reliability and immutability of God's word. In the historical and cultural context of the Bible, spoken words, especially those of a king or deity, were considered binding and powerful. The phrase reflects the belief that God's declarations are eternal and unchangeable, as seen in Isaiah 55:11, where God's word is described as accomplishing what He desires. This concept is further supported by Numbers 23:19, which states that God does not lie or change His mind. Theologically, this points to the trustworthiness of God's promises and prophecies, including those concerning the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Psalm 89 centers on the covenant God made with David—a promise that his throne would be established forever (Psalm 89:3-4, 2 Samuel 7:12-16). When God declares, “I will not violate My covenant,” He is underscoring:

• The unbreakable nature of every covenant He initiates. From the rainbow pledge of Genesis 9:11 to the new covenant foretold in Jeremiah 31:31, God never retracts a single commitment.

• His personal integrity. Numbers 23:19 reminds us that God is not like a man who changes his mind; Hebrews 6:17-18 says He confirmed His promise with an oath “so that by two unchangeable things…we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.”

• Hope for the people of God in times of apparent contradiction. Even when the nation faced exile (Psalm 89:38-45), the covenant itself remained intact. That same certainty steadies believers today (Romans 11:29).

What does this mean for us?

– God’s promises in Christ are just as inviolable (2 Corinthians 1:20).

– Our assurance rests not on our performance but on His covenant-keeping character (Psalm 105:8-10).

– We can pray with confidence, appealing to His covenant faithfulness as the psalmist does (Psalm 89:46-52).

The second line amplifies the first: not only will God keep His covenant, He will not even tweak a syllable of what He has spoken.

• God’s word is irrevocable. Isaiah 55:11 declares that His word “will not return to Me empty.” Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

• His speech is perfectly consistent with His nature. Titus 1:2 calls Him the God “who cannot lie,” and Psalm 119:89 affirms, “Your word, O LORD, is everlasting.”

• Every prophecy, promise, and warning stands. From the promised Messiah in Micah 5:2 to the coming new heavens and new earth in Revelation 21:1, God’s utterances unfold exactly as spoken.

Practical takeaways:

– Scripture is entirely trustworthy; we read it expecting accuracy, authority, and relevance (2 Timothy 3:16).

– We measure every teaching, feeling, or circumstance against the unaltered word of God (Acts 17:11).

– Because God’s words never shift, we can anchor our lives and futures to them with unshakable confidence (Psalm 18:30).

Psalm 89:34 reassures us that God is both the unbreakable Covenant-Maker and the unchanging Truth-Speaker. He will never cancel a promise or revise a single word He has uttered. That certainty invites us to trust Him fully, rely on His revealed word daily, and rest in the rock-solid hope that every pledge He has made—especially the salvation secured in Christ—will come to pass exactly as He said.