Psalm 89:25 kjv
I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
Psalm 89:25 nkjv
Also I will set his hand over the sea, And his right hand over the rivers.
Psalm 89:25 niv
I will set his hand over the sea, his right hand over the rivers.
Psalm 89:25 esv
I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.
Psalm 89:25 nlt
I will extend his rule over the sea,
his dominion over the rivers.
Psalm 89 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 7:13 | He shall build a house for my name... throne of his kingdom forever. | Davidic Covenant; eternal kingdom |
| 1 Chr 17:12 | He is the one who will build a house for me... establishment of his throne forever. | Parallel Davidic Covenant |
| Psa 72:8 | May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! | Messianic King's universal dominion |
| Zech 9:10 | ...his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. | Prophecy of Messiah's global rule |
| Psa 2:8 | Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage... | King's inherited universal authority |
| Psa 110:1-2 | The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” | Messiah's triumph and rule |
| Gen 15:18 | On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates...” | Covenant land boundaries for Abraham |
| Deut 1:7 | ...to the hill country... all the way to the great river, the river Euphrates. | Geographical extent of Promised Land |
| Josh 1:4 | From the wilderness and Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun... | Borders of the divinely granted land |
| Exod 23:31 | I will set your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River. | Divine setting of national borders |
| Dan 7:13-14 | ...with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of Man... dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him... | Son of Man's eternal, universal dominion |
| Matt 28:18 | And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” | Christ's supreme and complete authority |
| Eph 1:20-22 | ...he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand... far above all rule and authority and power and dominion... | Christ's exaltation and authority |
| Col 1:16 | For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him. | Christ's ultimate creation and Lordship |
| Heb 1:3 | ...he upholds the universe by the word of his power. | Christ's sustaining power over creation |
| Rev 11:15 | The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. | Final universal reign of Christ |
| Rev 19:15 | From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations... he will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. | Christ's power to overcome all opposition |
| Psa 132:11 | The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: “One of your own descendants I will set on your throne.” | God's steadfast oath to David |
| Isa 9:6-7 | For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom... | Messianic King on David's throne |
| Jer 33:17 | For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel. | Davidic lineage promise |
Psalm 89 verses
Psalm 89 25 Meaning
Psalm 89:25 expresses God’s divine promise to the Davidic king, affirming that He will establish the king’s extensive dominion and authority from the sea to the rivers. This signifies a universal or vastly wide-reaching sphere of influence, encompassing established boundaries and potentially all forms of earthly and even chaotic powers. It emphasizes that this dominion is not earned by the king, but supernaturally bestowed and maintained by God's own power.
Psalm 89 25 Context
Psalm 89 is a maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite, a reflection on God's covenant with David. The first section (vv. 1-18) extols God's unfailing love, faithfulness, and omnipotence as Creator and Sovereign, using imagery of cosmic rule (dominion over the raging sea). The core of the Psalm (vv. 19-37) details the specifics of the Davidic covenant from God's perspective, recounting His chosen servant, the anointing, and promises of unwavering favor, triumph over enemies, and eternal dynastic rule. Psalm 89:25 is part of this extended divine speech (vv. 19-37), immediately following declarations of God's covenant choice and protection for His king. This verse specifically describes the expansive dominion the Davidic king will possess. The latter part of the Psalm (vv. 38-51) starkly contrasts these promises with the current dire situation of the Davidic throne, which seems to have been overthrown, leading to a lament and questioning of God's faithfulness. Ultimately, the Psalm concludes with a renewed blessing for the LORD, reaffirming God's ultimate sovereignty despite apparent historical failures. Historically, this Psalm likely emerged during a period of deep national crisis, possibly after the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile, when the Davidic kingdom was no longer. This context makes the bold promises of dominion in verse 25 particularly poignant and ultimately prophetic, pointing beyond mere earthly kings to a future, true Davidic King.
Psalm 89 25 Word analysis
- I will set (וְשַׂמְתִּ֥י wəśamttî, from verb שִׂים sim): "I will place," "I will put," "I will establish." This highlights that the authority and dominion described are not a human achievement but a divine act and gift. It signifies God's deliberate, active, and sovereign initiative.
- his hand (יָד֣וֹ yādô, from יָד yad): The hand symbolizes power, authority, action, and control. In ancient contexts, placing one's hand on something indicates possession or authority over it.
- on the sea (בַּיָּ֔ם bayyām, from יָם yam): Refers to the Mediterranean Sea, marking the western boundary of the traditional Israelite territory. In the ancient Near East, the "sea" often symbolized chaotic, unruly forces and hostile powers. God’s act of setting the king’s hand "on the sea" indicates not just geographical reach but mastery over these elements and opposing powers, mirroring God's own control over the waters of creation and chaos (Psa 74:13-14).
- and his right hand (וִימִינ֖וֹ wîmînô, from יָמִין yamin): The right hand signifies even greater power, strength, skill, favor, and decisive action. The repetition and specific mention of the "right hand" emphasizes the absolute and mighty nature of the dominion bestowed, adding weight and certainty to the promise.
- on the rivers (עַל־נְהָרֹֽות ʿal-nəhārot, from נָהָר nahar): This generally refers to rivers, often interpreted as the great River Euphrates, forming the northern or eastern boundary of the divinely promised territory for Israel, encompassing an expansive land beyond immediate settlement. Together, "sea" and "rivers" depict dominion from one natural boundary to another, signifying a vast, encompassing, and even universal scope.
Psalm 89 25 Bonus section
The promise in Psalm 89:25 is not solely about territorial expansion but highlights a foundational principle of the Davidic covenant: the source of the king's power and authority is God alone. This distinguishes the Israelite monarchy, at least ideally, from surrounding kingships that relied on military might or self-proclamation. The "setting of the hand" by God emphasizes a delegated authority, ensuring that the king's reign would reflect divine order and justice. This cosmic dominion promised to David also subtly critiques other pagan deities believed to rule over chaotic waters; the one true God establishes His human king as having such authority. While historically David's kingdom reached impressive bounds, it never perfectly fulfilled the scope implied by "sea to sea, river to ends of the earth" as found elsewhere (Psa 72:8, Zech 9:10). This deliberate hyperbole in the covenant language foreshadows a future King, whose reign would truly be boundless and eternal, fulfilling the full extent of these grand declarations. The verse implies total subjection of boundaries and chaotic elements under the divinely chosen ruler, securing peace and order.
Psalm 89 25 Commentary
Psalm 89:25 is a profound declaration within God’s covenant promise to the Davidic king. It unveils God's sovereign intent to establish the king's dominion, not by human effort or conquest alone, but through divine empowerment. The imagery of "hand on the sea" and "right hand on the rivers" paints a picture of expansive, encompassing authority. Geographically, it points to a vast kingdom stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the distant great rivers, signifying a full and undisputed rule over the divinely appointed boundaries. Theologically, it resonates with ancient Near Eastern motifs where control over the chaotic "sea" symbolized cosmic authority and victory over primeval disorder or rebellious forces. Thus, the Davidic king, by God’s design, would exercise control not just over physical territory but over all opposition and unruly elements, echoing God’s own supreme reign over creation. This promise points ultimately to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the true Son of David, whose kingdom is truly from "sea to sea," an everlasting, universal dominion over all things, both visible and invisible, extending to every nation and people.