Psalms 89:12

12 thou madest of nought the north and the sea. Tabor and Hermon shall make full out joy in thy name; (thou madest the north and the south out of nothing. Tabor and Hermon shall make full out joy, or shall rejoice, in thy name.)

Psalms 89:12 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 12 The north and the south, thou hast created them
The two extreme parts of the world, the northern and southern poles, whether inhabited or uninhabited, are created by the Lord, to answer some purpose or another; see ( Job 26:7 ) .

Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name;
Tabor was a mountain in the western part of Galilee, in the tribe of Zebulun, ( Joshua 19:12 ) . This mountain, according to Mr. Maundrell F1, stands by itself in the plain of Esdraelon, about 1200 to 1800 yards within the plain; it has a plain area at top, most fertile and delicious, of an oval figure, extended about six hundred yards in breadth, and twice that in length; this area is enclosed with trees on all parts, except towards the south, in which there are in several places cisterns of good water. It is generally thought to be the mountain Christ was transfigured upon before his disciples; and if so, it might then be said to rejoice in his name, when he appeared in so glorious a form upon it; Moses and Elias talking with him, and a voice from the excellent Glory declaring him his beloved Son; and especially the disciples rejoiced in his name there and then, who could say, It is good for us to be here, ( Matthew 17:1-5 ) . Hermon was a mountain called by the Sidonians Sirion, and by the Amorites Shenir, ( Deuteronomy 3:8 Deuteronomy 3:9 ) and was in the east; and so Mr. Maundrell {b}, speaking of Tabor, says, not many miles eastward you see Mount Hermon, at the foot of which is seated Nain, famous for our Lord's raising the widow's son there, ( Luke 7:11 ) , there was an Hermon near Mount Tabor, thought likely to be here meant; but, be these mountains where and what they may, they were no doubt very high and fruitful ones, clothed with fruitful trees and grass, and covered with flocks; which made the proprietors and all the beholders rejoice in the goodness, wisdom, and power of God: the Targum in the king's Bible gives the four quarters very truly,

``the desert of the north, and the inhabitants of the south, thou hast created; Tabor on the west, and Hermon on the east, praise in thy name.''


FOOTNOTES:

F1 Journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem, p. 113, 114, Ed. 7.
F2 Journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem, p. 115, Ed. 7.

Psalms 89:12 In-Context

10 Thou madest low the proud, as (those who be) wounded (and slain); in the arm of thy strength thou hast scattered thine enemies. (Thou hast crushed Rahab to death; thou hast scattered thy enemies with thy strong arm, or with thy power.)
11 (The) Heavens be thine, and the earth is thine; thou hast founded the world, and the fullness thereof;
12 thou madest of nought the north and the sea. Tabor and Hermon shall make full out joy in thy name; (thou madest the north and the south out of nothing. Tabor and Hermon shall make full out joy, or shall rejoice, in thy name.)
13 thine arm with power. Thine hand be made steadfast, and thy right hand be enhanced; (Thy arm hath power; let thy hand be made firm, and thy right hand be lifted high.)
14 rightfulness and doom is the making ready of thy seat. Mercy and truth shall go before thy face; (Righteousness and judgement be the foundations of thy throne; love and faithfulness go forth before thee.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.