Psalms 89:25

KJV

I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will set {H7760}{H8804)} his hand {H3027} also in the sea {H3220}, and his right hand {H3225} in the rivers {H5104}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will put his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.

Berean Standard Bible

I will set his hand over the sea, and his right hand upon the rivers.

American Standard Version

I will set his hand also on the sea, And his right hand on the rivers.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 89:25 is a profound declaration within a psalm celebrating God's unwavering covenant with King David, promising an enduring dynasty and unparalleled dominion. This verse, "I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers," poetically describes the vast and comprehensive authority God bestows upon the Davidic king. It signifies a reign extending beyond conventional geographical boundaries, encompassing all known extremities, and symbolizing universal influence and control. It anticipates a divinely empowered rule of immense scope, rooted in God's faithfulness to His promises, ultimately pointing to the Messiah's global sovereignty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 89, attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite, is a royal psalm structured as a powerful lament embedded within a hymn of praise to God's covenant faithfulness. The initial section (verses 1-18) extols God's magnificent power, righteousness, and cosmic sovereignty. The central portion (verses 19-37) recounts the specific, unconditional promises God made to David, establishing an eternal covenant for his lineage and kingdom. Verse 25 is situated within this crucial section, immediately following affirmations of divine protection and victory over enemies (verses 22-24) and preceding declarations of the king's unique relationship with God as His firstborn and most exalted ruler (verses 26-27). The latter part of the psalm (verses 38-52) shifts dramatically to a lament, questioning God's apparent abandonment of the Davidic covenant in light of national distress and defeat, which makes the earlier, glorious promises, including those in verse 25, even more poignant and spiritually challenging.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Davidic covenant, central to Psalm 89, was established with King David around the 10th century BCE, as comprehensively recorded in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). This covenant promised David an enduring house, kingdom, and throne, becoming a cornerstone of Israelite theology and messianic expectation. In the ancient Near East, kingship was often understood as divinely sanctioned, but the Davidic covenant introduced a unique, unconditional element. The imagery of "sea" and "rivers" in verse 25 reflects the ancient world's understanding of geographical limits. The "sea" typically referred to the Mediterranean (the "Great Sea"), while "rivers" could symbolize major waterways like the Euphrates to the east or the Nile to the south, representing the farthest reaches of known civilization and the boundaries of powerful empires. To have dominion over these implied a vast, even universal, empire, a concept often associated with the most powerful ancient Near Eastern monarchs, such as those of Egypt or Assyria.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 89:25 contributes significantly to several key themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Faithfulness**, highlighting that the king's extensive dominion is not achieved by human might or military conquest but is a direct, divinely bestowed gift, a testament to God's immense power and unwavering commitment to His covenant with David. Secondly, it develops the theme of **Royal Dominion and Exaltation**, portraying the Davidic king as uniquely elevated and empowered by God, destined to rule over an unprecedented sphere of influence. This theme is further elaborated in passages like [Psalms 2:8](/psalms/2-8 "Psalm 2:8 - Ask of Me, and I will give You the Nations"), where the Messiah is promised the nations as an inheritance. Thirdly, and most profoundly, this verse carries strong **Messianic Prophecy**. While initially referring to the earthly Davidic kings, the hyperbolic language of universal dominion points beyond any historical monarch to the ultimate Davidic King, the Messiah. This foreshadows the truly universal and eternal reign of Christ, as prophesied in passages like [Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Son of Man's Everlasting Dominion") and [Zechariah 9:10](/zechariah/9-10 "Zechariah 9:10 - The Messiah's Peaceful and Universal Reign").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Set (Hebrew, _sûwm'_):** This primitive root verb carries a broad semantic range, encompassing actions like "to put," "to place," "to appoint," "to establish," or "to ordain." In Psalms 89:25, "set" signifies God's active, intentional, and sovereign act of bestowing authority and dominion upon the Davidic king. It is not merely a passive allowance but a deliberate divine installation of power, emphasizing that the king's rule is divinely initiated and sustained.
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** While literally meaning "hand," this versatile word frequently functions as a metonymy for power, strength, authority, control, and effective action. The repetition of "hand" and "right hand" (Hebrew, _yâmîyn'_, specifically the stronger, more dexterous hand) in this verse emphasizes the comprehensive and effective nature of the king's dominion. To "set one's hand" in a place signifies establishing firm control, exercising potent authority, and extending pervasive influence.
* **Sea (Hebrew, _yâm'_):** This term typically refers to the Mediterranean Sea, which formed the western boundary of the ancient Israelite world. In a broader, often symbolic sense, "yâm" can represent distant, vast, and sometimes chaotic or untamed regions, symbolizing the limits of the known world or even the forces of chaos. Its inclusion here signifies the outermost reach of the king's authority, extending to the very edge of the inhabited earth.
* **Rivers (Hebrew, _nâhâr'_):** The plural "rivers" (Hebrew, _nâhârîm_) likely refers to major, powerful rivers like the Euphrates to the east or the Nile to the south, which marked the boundaries of powerful empires in the ancient Near East. Together with "sea," "rivers" creates a merism, a figure of speech where two contrasting or complementary parts represent the whole. Here, "sea and rivers" collectively represent the entirety of the inhabited world or the maximum conceivable extent of a kingdom, symbolizing universal or boundless dominion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will set his hand also in the sea":** This opening clause declares God's active, sovereign role in establishing the Davidic king's authority. The "hand" here is a powerful symbol of control, power, and active rule. To "set his hand in the sea" implies that the king's dominion will extend to the very westernmost boundary of the known world, encompassing distant territories and peoples. It speaks to an unprecedented scope of influence, divinely granted and sustained, suggesting a reach beyond what any historical Israelite king truly achieved.
* **"and his right hand in the rivers":** This second clause reinforces and expands upon the first, creating a comprehensive picture of dominion. The "right hand" is consistently associated with strength, honor, decisive action, and supreme authority, emphasizing the king's effective and powerful rule. Placing it "in the rivers" signifies dominion over the eastern and southern extremities of the ancient world. Together with "the sea," this phrase paints a picture of a kingdom whose reach knows no geographical bounds, encompassing all directions and regions, symbolizing a truly universal and all-encompassing reign.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 89:25 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid and expansive picture of dominion through its use of geographical markers. The pairing of "sea" and "rivers" functions as a **Merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting or complementary parts are used to represent the whole; in this case, the extreme boundaries of the known world collectively signify the entirety of the earth or an all-encompassing dominion. This extensive reach is also a clear example of **Hyperbole**, as no earthly Davidic king ever literally ruled from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates or Nile in such a comprehensive and universal way, suggesting a prophetic ideal that transcends historical fulfillment. The phrase "I will set his hand" employs **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human action (setting a hand) to God, emphasizing His direct involvement and sovereign empowerment of the king. Furthermore, the repetition and slight variation of "hand" and "right hand" serve as a form of **Emphasis**, underscoring the absolute, effective, and divinely bestowed nature of the authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 89:25 stands as a profound testament to God's covenant faithfulness and His intention to establish a king whose dominion would be truly universal. This verse, while initially referring to the Davidic line, transcends any earthly monarch, pointing forward to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ. It articulates the theological truth that true, lasting authority is divinely ordained and empowered, not merely achieved through human strength or conquest. The vastness of the promised dominion hints at a spiritual reality that would find its ultimate expression in the Messiah's global and eternal kingdom, a reign that encompasses all nations and all time, bringing order to the "seas" and "rivers" of human experience and extending God's righteous rule over all creation.

* [Psalms 72:8](/psalms/72-8 "Psalm 72:8 - The Messiah's Universal Dominion")
* [Zechariah 9:10](/zechariah/9-10 "Zechariah 9:10 - Prophecy of Christ's Peaceful and Wide Reign")
* [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 89:25 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that our God is a God of immense power and unwavering faithfulness, who keeps His promises across generations. The vision of a king whose "hand" is "in the sea and in the rivers" assures us that no realm, no chaotic force, no distant land, and no aspect of creation is outside of God's ultimate control and the dominion of His chosen King. In a world often marked by instability, limited human authority, and overwhelming challenges, this verse calls us to place our trust in the One whose reign is truly universal and eternal. It encourages us to live with confidence, knowing that the "hand" guiding history and our personal lives is the all-powerful hand of our sovereign God, working out His perfect plan through His Son. This truth should inspire us to participate in His global mission, knowing that His authority already extends to the "ends of the earth."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "sea" and "rivers" challenge or expand your understanding of God's dominion in your own life and in the world?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control to the "hand" of God, trusting in His universal authority and perfect plan?**
* **How does the promise of God's faithfulness, as seen in this verse, encourage you when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges or chaotic circumstances in your personal life or in society?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more fully under the reign of Christ, acknowledging His universal authority in your daily decisions, interactions, and pursuit of justice and righteousness?**

### FAQ
**What is the primary significance of the "sea" and "rivers" in this verse?**

Answer: The "sea" and "rivers" are primarily symbolic geographical markers representing the vast, comprehensive, and universal extent of the Davidic king's dominion. In the ancient Near East, the sea (likely the Mediterranean) marked the western boundary, while major rivers like the Euphrates or Nile marked eastern and southern boundaries. Together, they form a merism, signifying the entirety of the known world or the maximum conceivable reach of a kingdom. This imagery emphasizes that the king's authority, divinely bestowed, would be boundless, extending over all peoples and territories, foreshadowing the global reign of the Messiah. It's not about literal physical control over these specific bodies of water, but rather their symbolic representation of universal influence, echoing the promise that the Messiah's dominion will stretch "from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth" as seen in [Psalms 72:8](/psalms/72-8 "The Messiah's Universal Dominion").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 89:25 finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment not in any earthly Davidic king, whose reign was always geographically limited, but in Jesus Christ, the true Son of David and the promised Messiah. While David's kingdom had its historical boundaries, the hyperbolic language of "sea" and "rivers" points to a dominion that transcends earthly limitations, hinting at a spiritual and truly universal reign. Jesus, through His perfect life, atoning death, victorious resurrection, and glorious ascension, has been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission and Christ's Authority")), perfectly embodying the expansive rule prophesied here. His kingdom is not confined by physical borders but extends over all creation, all nations, and all time, as anticipated in passages like [Psalms 2:8](/psalms/2-8 "Psalm 2:8 - Ask of Me, and I will give You the Nations") and [Zechariah 9:10](/zechariah/9-10 "Zechariah 9:10 - The Messiah's Peaceful and Universal Reign"). The "hand" of Christ is truly "in the sea and in the rivers," meaning His sovereign rule encompasses every chaotic element of human existence, every distant corner of the globe, and every aspect of cosmic reality. He is the one who "upholds the universe by the word of his power" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ's Supremacy and Sustaining Power")), and whose kingdom "shall never be destroyed" ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Everlasting Kingdom")). Thus, Psalms 89:25 is a powerful prophetic declaration of the Messiah's boundless and eternal dominion, fully realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 80:11

She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.

1 Kings 4:21

And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.

Psalms 2:8

Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession.

Psalms 72:8

He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

Psalms 72:11

Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

Revelation 11:15

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.