Psalms 89:25

25 I've put Ocean in his one hand, River in the other;

Psalms 89:25 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 89:25

I will set his hand also in the sea
Which is expressive not of his dominion over the sea, and of his power and authority over all things in it, which: he has by right of creation, and as Mediator, ( Psalms 8:5-7 ) , of which there were instances in the days of his flesh, ( Matthew 8:26 Matthew 8:27 ) ( 17:27 ) , but of his kingdom taking place in, and of his government over the inhabitants of the isles of the sea; and so the Targum,

``I will set or place his government in the provinces of the sea;''

and which has been remarkably accomplished in our isles, where his Gospel has been preached, his kingdom set up, and he has had a race of subjects, and a seed, to serve him for many years:

and his right hand in the rivers:
or, as the Targum,

``the power of his right hand in those that dwell by rivers;''

meaning such that dwell upon the continent, afar off from the sea, and whose countries are watered by rivers: so that both phrases denote the extent of Christ's kingdom in the continent, and in the islands of the sea; signifying, that it should reach everywhere, and be from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth, ( Psalms 72:8 ) . Compare with this ( Revelation 10:1 Revelation 10:2 ) . Aben Ezra interprets it of David's prevailing over those that go in ships in the sea, and in rivers.

Psalms 89:25 In-Context

23 I'll weed out all who oppose him, I'll clean out all who hate him.
24 I'm with him for good and I'll love him forever; I've set him on high - he's riding high!
25 I've put Ocean in his one hand, River in the other;
26 he'll call out, 'Oh, my Father - my God, my Rock of Salvation!'
27 Yes, I'm setting him apart as the First of the royal line, High King over all of earth's kings.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.