Psalm 89 12

Psalm 89:12 kjv

The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.

Psalm 89:12 nkjv

The north and the south, You have created them; Tabor and Hermon rejoice in Your name.

Psalm 89:12 niv

You created the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.

Psalm 89:12 esv

The north and the south, you have created them; Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.

Psalm 89:12 nlt

You created north and south.
Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon praise your name.

Psalm 89 verses

Psalm 89 12 Meaning

Psalm 89:12 asserts the Creator's absolute, universal dominion and power. By citing the cardinal directions "north" and "south," representing the entire breadth of the world, and specifically mentioning Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon, two distinct and prominent geographical features, the verse proclaims that all existence, from its farthest reaches to its most striking landmarks, is God's direct creation. This vast and majestic cosmos inherently glorifies and testifies to His sovereign character.

Psalm 89 12 Context

Psalm 89 is a Maskil, or instructional psalm, attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite. It initiates with an emphatic declaration of God's unchanging faithfulness (vv. 1-18), particularly emphasizing His eternal covenant with David (vv. 19-37), which guaranteed an enduring kingship. Verse 12 is found within the initial section that magnifies God's magnificent cosmic power and universal sovereignty, laying a foundation for His steadfastness to His promises. The portrayal of God's immeasurable creative power, evidenced by His fashioning of all global extremes and prominent landforms, solidifies the premise that such an almighty God is inherently reliable and able to uphold His word. The stark contrast between this initial glorification of God's might and the subsequent lament (vv. 38-51) over Israel's apparent national failure and the compromised Davidic dynasty creates a profound tension, prompting the psalmist to question why such a powerful and faithful God seemingly allows such adversity.

Psalm 89 12 Word analysis

• The north: (Hebrew: tsaphon - צָפוֹן) This signifies the cardinal direction north, often representing distant reaches or the source of cosmic forces in biblical imagery. In this context, it marks one extremity of the created world.
• and the south: (Hebrew: teiman - תֵּימָן) Referring to the cardinal direction south, typically associated with the dry southern desert region. Paired with "north," these terms delineate the entire horizontal expanse of the earth.
• you created them: (Hebrew: attah b'ratam - אַתָּה בְּרָאתָם) The verb bara (בָּרָא) uniquely describes divine creation, often implying creation from nothing (ex nihilo) and always signifying God's sole, powerful act. The direct address "You" underscores God's personal agency in bringing these vast regions into existence.
• Tabor: (Hebrew: Tavor - תָּבֹר) Mount Tabor is a distinct, recognizable, isolated mountain in Lower Galilee. Its inclusion emphasizes God's creative dominion over specific, significant geographical features.
• and Hermon: (Hebrew: Chermon - חֶרְמוֹן) Mount Hermon is a majestic, often snow-capped, multi-peaked range located at the northern border of ancient Israel. It is the highest mountain in the Levant. Together with Tabor, it encompasses a wide geographical span of notable landforms from north to center, signifying control over the vertical landscape.
• rejoice: (Hebrew: y'rannen - יְרַנְּנוּ) From the root ranan, meaning "to shout for joy," "to sing aloud." This is a poetic personification; mountains cannot literally rejoice. It conveys that the very existence and magnificent presence of these mountains serve as a perpetual, awe-inspiring testimony to God's greatness and character, evoking a celebratory response from creation itself.
• in your name: (Hebrew: b'shimcha - בְּשִׁמְךָ) In biblical understanding, "name" refers to God's inherent character, attributes, reputation, and manifest presence. Thus, the mountains "rejoice in your name" means they bear witness to and reflect God's power, glory, faithfulness, and holy nature by their very being and form.

• "The north and the south, you created them": This phrase utilizes merism, a figure of speech where two opposite parts stand for the whole. "North and south" signifies the entire world and all its directional breadth, emphasizing God's complete and all-encompassing sovereignty over every aspect of physical creation. God's sole creative act is foundational.
• "Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name": This employs both merism and synecdoche, where two prominent specific features represent all landforms or all distinct natural elements. Their "rejoicing" is vivid personification, conveying that the existence and majestic beauty of these mountains passively yet eloquently glorify their Creator. Their enduring presence is a constant witness to God's inherent qualities, His "name," which speaks of His power, glory, and essence.

Psalm 89 12 Bonus section

• The inclusion of both universal directional extremes and specific iconic mountains collectively emphasizes God's comprehensive dominion over both abstract space and concrete topography of the earth. It is a complete assertion of divine ownership and creative scope.
• Mount Hermon, often associated with life-giving dew (Ps 133:3), and Mount Tabor, known for its strategic importance and visual beauty within the land, represent diverse aspects of creation. Their combined mention underscores God's sovereignty over both the distant majestic and the locally significant.
• The psalm's immediate context for this declaration of God's cosmic power is to contrast it with the later depiction of Israel's national distress, thereby highlighting the immense paradox the psalmist struggles with regarding God's seemingly deferred covenant promises.
• This verse underscores a key biblical truth: the created order itself serves as a tangible witness to God's attributes, making His power and divinity evident to all (Rom 1:20).

Psalm 89 12 Commentary

Psalm 89:12 serves as a robust theological assertion of God's universal creative authority and the inherent glory displayed through His handiwork. Strategically placed within a psalm championing God's unwavering covenant faithfulness, this verse provides a tangible testament to His cosmic power. He who formed the far reaches of the earth ("north and south") and meticulously crafted its most impressive landmarks (Tabor and Hermon) with such deliberate design and majesty, is unquestionably capable of fulfilling His promises. The concept of the mountains "rejoicing" is a profound poetic expression, indicating that all of creation intuitively recognizes and instinctively reflects the glorious character (the "name") of its Maker. This silent yet resounding praise from the non-human realm highlights God’s omnipotence and unwavering steadfastness, providing a foundation for trust amidst life's uncertainties. It also acts as a subtle challenge to pagan idolatry, affirming that God's authority extends over every territory and every geographical feature, leaving no domain outside His absolute sovereignty.