Psalms 89:12
The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
Original Language Analysis
צָפ֣וֹן
The north
H6828
צָפ֣וֹן
The north
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
וְ֭יָמִין
and the south
H3225
וְ֭יָמִין
and the south
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
2 of 8
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
בְרָאתָ֑ם
thou hast created
H1254
בְרָאתָ֑ם
thou hast created
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
4 of 8
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
תָּב֥וֹר
them Tabor
H8396
תָּב֥וֹר
them Tabor
Strong's:
H8396
Word #:
5 of 8
tabor, a mountain in palestine, also a city adjacent
Cross References
Job 26:7He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.Joshua 19:22And the coast reacheth to Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Beth-shemesh; and the outgoings of their border were at Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages.Joshua 12:1Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:Psalms 133:3As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.Psalms 98:8Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful togetherJudges 4:6And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
Historical Context
Mount Tabor rises prominently in the Jezreel Valley, visible for miles, while Mount Hermon dominates northern Israel at over 9,000 feet, often snow-capped. These landmarks were daily reminders of God's creative majesty. The psalmist's poetry makes the landscape itself a witness to God's glory and covenant faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- When was the last time you allowed creation itself (mountains, oceans, stars) to move you to worship God's majesty?
- How does the reality that even mountains 'rejoice' in God's name challenge human pride or indifference?
- What does it mean that creation awaits redemption (Romans 8), and how does this inform Christian environmental stewardship?
Analysis & Commentary
The north and the south thou hast created them (צָפֹון וְיָמִין אַתָּה בְרָאתָם)—Tzafon (north) and yamin (south, literally 'right hand') represent all directions; bara (created) is the verb used in Genesis 1:1 for divine creation ex nihilo. Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name (תָּבֹור וְחֶרְמֹון בְּשִׁמְךָ יְרַנֵּנוּ)—These mountains, located in northern Israel, ranan (shout for joy, sing) at God's name (shem—identity, reputation, character).
Mount Tabor (where Deborah defeated Sisera) and Mount Hermon (where Jesus may have been transfigured) represent geographic landmarks worshiping their Creator. This personification anticipates Romans 8:19-22 where creation itself groans, awaiting redemption. Even inanimate creation responds to God's glory—mountains 'skip like rams' (Psalm 114:4), stars 'sing together' (Job 38:7). If mountains rejoice in God's name, how much more should image-bearers?