A deep poetic reflection emerges from the crisis of exile and the collapse of the Davidic dynasty. The song contrasts the eternal stability of God's leadership over the world with His promise to the kings of Judah, a promise that now appears shattered. It serves as a bitter cry over the ruined kingdom and a longing for redemption. Crafted as a reflective piece, its purpose is to awaken the hearts of those who hear it [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מאירי].
The identity of the psalm's author is a matter of discussion, with two primary approaches. On a literal level, the author is understood to be a distinct historical figure named Ethan the son of Zerah, a great sage from the tribe of Judah, or perhaps one of the musical brothers from the tribe of Levi [רש״י, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מאירי]. According to this view, the song was composed from within the harsh reality of exile, mourning the prolonged suffering and the end of the royal Davidic line [רד״ק, מאירי, מלבי״ם].
Conversely, a prominent tradition views the author's title as a symbolic reference to Abraham, who originally arose from the east to spread faith across the globe [תורה תמימה, רש״י, רד״ק, אלשיך, מאירי]. Abraham dedicated his life to showing humanity the truth of God's existence, the creation of the universe, and divine providence. Through acts of deep kindness and hospitality, he worked to instill the understanding that the world is guided by divine grace, actively uprooting the mistaken belief that the universe had always existed without a Creator [אלשיך].
Abraham's extraordinary ability to illuminate the world with his faith is compared to a precious gem hanging around his neck. Tradition notes that upon his passing, this gem was placed upon the sun. This imagery suggests that even after his death, humanity can still discover a guiding Creator by observing the natural world, its boundaries, and the path of the sun, just as Abraham first arrived at his own faith by studying the heavens [אלשיך]. Understood this way, the psalm functions as a distant prophecy foreseeing the tragic events at the close of the First Temple era [ביאור שטיינזלץ].
The connection between Abraham and the core theme of the song lies in the foundations of divine leadership. God guides the world globally through kindness and faith. The specific covenant made with King David was built upon these exact same pillars, serving as a reflection of how God leads the entire world. The poet's agonizing cry ultimately stems from a devastating contrast: while God's general leadership of the universe continues to function with kindness and truth, His private covenant with the house of David has been entirely broken and swept away [מלבי״ם].