Psalms 89:25

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י

H7760

I will set

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בַיָּ֣ם

H3220

also in the sea

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

יָד֑וֹ

H3027

his hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וּֽבַנְּהָר֥וֹת

H5104

in the rivers

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

יְמִינֽוֹ׃

H3225

and his right hand

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

Analysis

This verse develops the worship and praise theme central to Psalms. The concept of divine revelation reflects the proper human response to God's character and works. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about worship and praise?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?