My Song Forever Shall Record

My Song Forever Shall Record is a metrical paraphrase of Psalm 89, reflecting his desire to bring the language of the Psalms into clear, congregational English worship while preserving their rich theology. Rooted deeply in Scripture, the hymn celebrates the tender mercies, unchanging faithfulness, and sovereign power of the Lord, presenting God as both covenant-keeping King and unrivaled Creator.

The opening stanzas echo Psalm 89:1-2, where the psalmist resolves to sing continually of the Lord’s mercies and to make His faithfulness known to every generation. Watts emphasizes the enduring nature of God’s mercy and truth, describing them as firmly established and unchanging. This sets the tone for the entire hymn, which is not merely personal praise, but a public testimony meant to instruct and encourage future generations in the reliability of God’s promises.

Central to the hymn is the covenant God made with David, drawn from Psalm 89:3-4 and 2 Samuel 7:12-16. Watts highlights God’s sworn oath that David’s seed would sit upon the throne forever. While the original psalm reflects both confidence and later tension in Israel’s history, Watts directs the reader toward the greater fulfillment of this promise in Christ. In light of the New Testament, this covenant finds its ultimate realization in Jesus, the Son of David, whose kingdom is everlasting, as affirmed in Luke 1:32-33.

The hymn then lifts the worshiper’s eyes to heaven, joining earthly praise with the worship of the heavenly hosts. The assembly of holy ones magnifying God’s faithfulness reflects Psalm 89:5-7, where angels and saints alike stand in awe of the Lord. God is portrayed as utterly incomparable, feared and revered above all powers, both seen and unseen. This sense of holy reverence underscores the majesty and transcendence of Jehovah, the Lord of Hosts.

The calming of the raging sea and the defeat of mighty enemies point to God’s absolute authority over chaos and opposition. These images remind believers that the same faithful God who rules the heavens also governs the affairs of the world, ensuring that no enemy can ultimately thwart His purposes.

The final stanza affirms God’s rightful ownership of all creation. Heaven, earth, and all that fills them belong to Him, and the created order itself declares His glory. This conclusion brings the hymn full circle, returning to praise that is both cosmic and covenantal, grounded in God’s faithfulness and extending to all He has made.

My Song Forever Shall Record stands as a strong hymn of praise rooted in biblical theology. It calls the church to sing confidently of God’s mercy, trust unwaveringly in His covenant promises, and bow reverently before His incomparable majesty, joining heaven and earth in proclaiming the faithfulness of the Lord.