Have you noticed the endings of these Psalms?

The book of Psalms has five smaller books. They’re not equal in length, but the ending of each book is marked by various climactic statements.

Book I is from Psalms one to 41, Book II is from Psalms 42 to 72, Book III is from Psalms 73 to 89, Book IV is from Psalms 90 to 106, and Book V is from Psalms 107 to 150.

I just finished preaching through Book III of the Psalms, and I was struck by the final line of Psalm 89: “Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.” It’s the last verse of Psalm 89, but it’s also the closing line for Book III (which is from Psalms 73 to 89).

The final words in Psalm 89 aren’t many. In fact, they’re the shortest closing words in Books I—III. Let’s compare the conclusions.

• The closing of Book I is 41v13: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.”
• The closing of Book II is 72v18-19: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!”

Like the closing statements in 41v13 and 72v18–19, 89v52 opens with “Blessed be the LORD.” And like those earlier closings, 89v52 has a double amen: “Amen and Amen.”

Saying that the Lord should be “blessed…forever” is saying He should be praised forever. That ending line in Book III is especially relevant, given the darker tone in Psalms 73 to 89. In those psalms, there is much concern about the success and endurance of the wicked. There is lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and its walls and its people. There is the “why” and “how long” of the agonies the righteous face.

But all those afflictions, those trials, are temporary. You know what will last forever? The praise of God. And the praise of God will rightly endure forever because His worth never changes.

“Blessed be the Lord.” But for how long?

As long as things are going well?

As long as we’re comfortable?

As long as life is unfolding how we think it should?

There are no conditions for the praise of God. He is worthy to be praised at all times. Indeed, that lesson is one which rises to the surface throughout the psalms—and not just in Book III. The psalmists are teaching us, not only by their words but also by their example, to turn to the Lord no matter what.

'Amen and amen'

Now is always the right time for doxology. This isn’t only the psalmist’s opinion, either. The double “amen” at the end is simultaneously an invitation for response. The covenant community sings the psalms, so the double “amen” is our hearty affirmation of the truth the psalmist has proclaimed. The Lord is to be praised forever! The people of God believe this. They delight in this truth. God should be praised forever. They wouldn’t want it any other way!

If you look at the endings of all the books in the book of Psalms, you’ll notice this pattern:

• Book I ends with “Blessed be the LORD” (41v13).
• Book II ends with “Blessed be the LORD” (72v18).
• Book III ends with “Blessed be the LORD” (89v52).
• Book IV ends with “Blessed be the LORD” (106v48).
• Book V ends with “Praise the LORD” (150v6).

A reader might look at that pattern and remark that Book V deviates from what the previous book-endings are saying. But, really, it doesn’t. The ending of Book V, “Praise the LORD,” is communicating the same thing as “Blessed be the LORD.” To forever bless the Lord is to forever praise Him.

The ending of Psalm 89 is a banner for the Christian life. It’s a proclamation that’s true every day.

“Blessed be the LORD forever.”

Amen and amen.