The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 89
The possible meaning of the number 89 is derived from its use in the Psalms and in God's creation.
Only two original language words appear 89 times in the Bible. The first, shamem (Strong's #H8074), is many times translated as desolation, desolate or astonished. It is used in Isaiah 52's famous prophecy regarding the brutal torture Jesus received before his crucifixion.
Many were astonished (shamem) at Him - for His body was so disfigured - even His form beyond that of the sons of men (Isaiah 52:14, HBFV, which foretold of Matthew 27:26, 28 - 31).
The second word that appears 89 times is the Greek kathemai (Strong's #G2521), a word that describes the act of sitting down or sitting. Its last use in the New Testament is in Revelation 21:5 where John sees, in vision, God sitting on his throne.
Appearances of number eighty-nine
Fibonacci numbers are named after Italian mathematician Leonardo of Pisa (later known as Fibonacci). His sequence was introduced to Western Europe in 1202 A.D.
A Fibonacci sequence is a set where each of them is the sum of the previous two in the list. The sequence begins with 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, and so on. This sequence appears in God's creation. It has been observed that the arrangement of leaves on certain stems, as well as the distribution of fruit sprouts on a pineapple, follows a Fibonacci pattern.
Number 89 and the Psalms
The Psalms were originally divided into five sections. This Psalm is the last of the third section. The first section runs from Psalm 1 to 41, the second from 42 to 72, the third from 73 to 89, the fourth from 90 to 106, and the final division goes from 107 to 150.
Psalm 89 is unique in that it reveals several of God's names in just three verses! It also reveals a somewhat unique and little known title for our Creator a few verses later.
For who in the heavens can be compared with the Lord (Jehovah)? Who among the sons of the mighty is like the Lord (Jehovah)?
God (El) is greatly to be feared in the congregation of the saints . . . O Lord God (Jehovah Elohim) of hosts, who is mighty like you O Lord (Jah)? . . .
For the Lord is our shield; yea, our King is the Holy One of Israel (Qedosh Yisrael, verses 6 - 8 and 18 in Psalm 89, HBFV).
Selah is a word that means "pause" or the suspension of music that is played (Strong's #H5542). It is recorded four times in the KJV version of Psalm 89 (verses 4, 37, 45 and 48).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 89
Numbers 7 has exactly 89 verses. It is the second largest chapter, in terms of verses, in the Bible. Only Psalm 119, with 176, has more verses in a single chapter.
The book of 1Thessalonians has five chapters and eighty-nine total verses. The four gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), containing 3,779 total verses in the KJV, have 89 chapters total.