Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 89:25
I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
25. in the sea in the rivers ] R.V., on the sea on the rivers; i.e. I will extend his dominion to the Mediterranean on the west, and to the Euphrates on the north-east, the boundaries of the land according to ancient promise. See Gen 15:18; Exo 23:31; Deu 11:24; 1Ki 4:24; cp. Psa 72:8; Psa 80:11. The plural rivers is a poetical generalisation, or may denote the Euphrates and its canals.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I will set his hand also in the sea … – His dominion shall extend from the sea on the one hand to the rivers on the other. The sea here evidently refers to the Mediterranean; and the rivers to the great rivers on the east – the Tigris and Euphrates. These were the promised boundaries of the land. Gen 15:18. David secured a conquest over all these territories, and united all under his scepter, thus securing the accomplishment of the promise made to Abraham. See the notes at Psa 60:1-12.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 89:25
I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
The mediatorial glory and dominion of Jesus Christ under the Gospel-dispensation
I. The means and the agency by which the kingdom, authority, and grace of the Mediator are extended among the nations of the world, and this promise of Jehovah is fulfilled to His Son.
1. In general, let it be observed, that the whole Word of God, as displayed and applied in the ministry of the Gospel, is the great comprehensive instrument whereby the spiritual dominion of Jesus Christ is established and spread abroad in the earth.
2. The powerful energy of the Divine Spirit is an indispensable requisite to give them force and impression on the souls of men.
II. A few of the most eminent periods when the Redeemers hand is set in the sea and His right hand in the rivers; together with some of the concurring circumstances which, under the direction of Providence, contribute to the establishment and enlargement of the kingdom of grace.
1. The first period commenced at the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and includes the ministry of the apostles and of the first preachers of Christianity, when the glorious Gospel was attended with the most wonderful success, and, in a short time, spread its triumphs far and wide.
2. The Reformation.
3. The millennium. The former periods were glorious, but this will far exceed them in glory. They presented the first fruits, this will bring forward the full harvest.
III. Improvement.
1. The subject suggests to our consideration one great cause of the increase of irreligion and infidelity in the present age, viz. a mournful deviation from the system of Divine truth.
2. The missionary scheme, if prosecuted with prudence, zeal, perseverance, and a humble dependence on God for success, promises fair to be a blessing to the world, to this nation, and to the Church of God in it.
3. The promises of God afford the greatest encouragement to strenuous and persevering endeavours to propagate the knowledge of salvation among the heathen.
4. As the success of all our endeavours to promote the cause of religion must depend on the Spirits and providence of God, let us be frequent and fervent in prayer. (P. Hutchinson.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 25. I will set his hand also in the sea] This was literally fulfilled in David. Hand signifies power or authority; he set his hand on the sea in conquering the Philistines, and extending his empire along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, from Tyre to Pelusium. All the coasts of the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Arabic Ocean, might be said to have been under his government, for they all paid tribute to him or his son Solomon.
His right hand in the rivers] First, the Euphrates: he subjected all Syria, and even a part of Mesopotamia; 2Sa 8:3; 1Ch 18:3. He also took Damascus, and consequently had his hand or authority over the river Chrysorrhoes, or Baraddi; and in his conquest of all Syria his hand must have been on the Orontes and other rivers in that region. But if this be considered as referring to the typical David, we see that He was never conquered; he never lost a battle; the hosts of hell pursued him in vain. Satan was discomfited, and all his enemies bruised under his feet. Even over death he triumphed; and as to his dominion, it has spread and is spreading over all the isles of the sea, and the continents of the world.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I will set his hand, i.e. establish his power and dominion.
In the sea; the midland sea.
The rivers, to wit, Euphrates, called rivers in the plural number, as Nilus also is, Isa 18:1; Eze 29:3,4, in regard of divers branches of it, and rivers which flow into it. So here is a description of the uttermost bounds of the Promised Land, Exo 23:31; Num 34:3, to which the Israelitish power was extended by David and Solomon.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
25. hand [and] righthandpower (Psa 17:7;Psa 60:5).
sea, and . . . riverslimitsof his empire (Ps 72:8).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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, Ps 8:5, of which there were instances in the days of his flesh, Mt 8:26, 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, Ps 72:8. Compare with this Re 10:1. Aben Ezra interprets it of David’s prevailing over those that go in ships in the sea, and in rivers.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
25. And I will set his hand in the sea. The vast extent of the kingdom is here adverted to. As the people by their wickedness had, as it were, blocked up the way, and intercepted the blessing of God, their inheritance was more limited than the promise implied. But now God declares, that during the reign of David, it will be again enlarged, so that the people shall possess the whole country, from the sea even to the river Euphrates. From this we gather, that what God had promised by Moses was fulfilled only in the person of David, that is to say, from his time. (544) By the rivers may be understood, either the Euphrates alone, which is cut into many channels, or the other neighboring rivers on the coast of Syria.
(544) “ Sicuti nugantur Sophistae.” — Lat. “ Comme gazouillent ces brouillons et Sophistes de Sorbonistes.” — Fr.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(25) In the sea.A reference, as in Psa. 72:8; Psa. 80:11, to the limits of the Solomonic kingdom, the Mediterranean and the Euphrates. For the figure we may compare a saying attributed by Curtius to some Scythian ambassadors, who addressed Alexander in these terms: If the gods had given thee a body as great as thy mind, the whole world would not be able to contain thee. Thou wouldst reach with one hand to the east, and with the other to the west.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
25. Sea The Mediterranean.
Rivers Historically construed, the plural form of this word must be accepted here in the same sense as the well-known dual Naharaim, which is a standing designation of the Euphrates and Tigris, as in the proper name Aram-Naharaim, or Aram, (that is, “the high-lands,”) of the two rivers, same as Mesopotamia, Gen 24:10; Deu 23:4; Jdg 3:8; Psalms 60, title. In this sense it describes, geographically, the eastern limit of the dominion of David and Solomon. 1Ki 4:21; Ezr 4:20; Psa 80:11. But prophetically, as applied to Messiah, the sense is general, and the description sets forth a universal empire, as in Psa 72:8
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 89:25. I will set his hand also in the sea, &c. i.e. “His empire shall extend from the Mediterranean sea to the rivers Euphrates and Tigris.” See 2Sa 8:1 and Psa 72:8.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 89:25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
Ver. 25. I will set his hand also in the sea ] He shall be a vice-god, Dan 12:7 Rev 10:1 . Herodotus saith that the Aeginetae gave the Persians earth and water, in token of subjection to Darius, their king. Christ is the true , a title anciently usurped by Sesostris, king of Egypt.
Qui Pharos currus regum cervicibus egit.
I will: Psa 2:8, Psa 72:8-11, Psa 80:11, 1Ki 4:21, Rev 11:15
his hand: That is, his power or authority, as hand frequently signifies: for the accomplishment of these promises, see the parallel texts.
Reciprocal: Eze 19:10 – she was
89:25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the {x} rivers.
(x) He will enjoy the land around him.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes