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

PSALMS 89:25KJV
Know the Bible

Psalms 89:25 (KJV)

What does Psalms 89:25 mean?

Psalms 89:25 describes God promising to give someone authority and reach over the sea and the rivers, using the image of setting his hand on these vast waters. This verse uses poetic language to show the extent and power of the rule God is granting.

The speaker in Psalms 89 is Ethan the Ezrahite, who is recounting God’s promises to David and his descendants. In this verse, the “hand in the sea” and “right hand in the rivers” picture a king whose influence stretches over distant and powerful places. The verse highlights God’s commitment to establish a lasting and far-reaching kingdom for David’s line.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 89:25

  • "Set" (שִׁית, shiyth): This word means to place or appoint. Here, it shows that God is actively giving authority, not just predicting it.
  • "Hand" (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, “hand” often symbolizes power or control. The use of “hand” and “right hand” (יָמִין, yamin) emphasizes strength and favored authority.
  • "Sea" (יָם, yam): The sea in ancient Israelite thought often represented chaos or distant lands, so having a hand on the sea suggests dominion over what is far and uncontrollable.
  • "Rivers" (נָהָר, nahar): Rivers, especially the great ones like the Euphrates, marked boundaries of kingdoms. The “right hand in the rivers” points to rule extending to important and strategic regions.

Why Psalms 89:25 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the promise to David is not just about a local rule but a kingdom with broad, even international, reach.
  • The imagery of the sea and rivers connects to ancient ideas of power, showing that God’s promise includes victory over chaos and distant threats.
  • In the context of Psalms 89, this verse builds on the theme of God’s faithfulness to His covenant, reminding readers that God’s promises are not small or limited.

Where else these words appear

“rivers” Hebrew H5104 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 2:10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
  • Ezra 8:31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
  • Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

“hand” Hebrew H3225 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • 1 Kings 2:19 Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.
  • Psalms 109:6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.