Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 89:6
For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? [who] among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
6, 7. For who in the sky can be compared unto Jehovah?
Who is like Jehovah among the sons of God,
A God greatly to be dreaded in the council of the holy ones,
And to be feared above all that are round about him?
God’s nature is unique, incomparable. Even among celestial beings there is none that can be compared with Him.
The phrase bn lm, found elsewhere only in Psa 29:1, denotes angels. It might be rendered sons of the mighty, describing them as mighty celestial beings; or sons of the gods, beings “belonging to the class of superhuman, heavenly powers” (Cheyne); but it is best taken as a doubly-formed plural, and rendered as in R.V. marg., sons of God (El); synonymous with bn Elhm in Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7.
With Psa 89:7 cp. Isa 8:13. The angels form the council of the great King (Job 15:8, R.V. marg.; Jer 23:18; Jer 23:22), but He towers above them all in unapproachable majesty.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For who in the heaven … – literally, In the cloud; that is, in the sky. The idea is that none in the regions above – the upper world – can be compared with God. There is no other god – there is no one among the angels, great and glorious as they are, that can be likened to him.
Who among the sons of the mighty … – The angels – regarded as mighty. The sons of the mighty on earth are spoken of as mighty men – as men of power – as men of exalted rank. So here, the idea is, that none of the angels, though of exalted rank (principalities, or powers, compare Rom 8:38; Eph 1:21), could be put in comparison with God. See the notes at Isa 40:25.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 89:6
For who In the heaven can be compared unto the Lord?
The greatness of God
The true God, Sovereign of heaven and earth, is incomparably great–
I. In His being and existence.
1. Eternal.
2. Perfect.
3. Independent.
4. Unchangeable. There are no tenses with God–past, present, and to come; but one eternal Now.
II. In His attributes and perfections.
1. Holiness.
2. Wisdom and knowledge.
3. Power.
4. Justice.
5. Patience.
6. Love and goodness.
III. In his works.
1. Creation.
2. Providence.
3. Redemption and human salvation.
Concluding inferences.
1. Is God so great?–what a horrid nature sin is of, and rebellion against such a God I–yes, horrid the sin and folly that attempts to oppose God!
2. If God be so great, what love, reverence, worship, and obedience we owe to Him!
3. Is God so great?–what must be His condescension to notice such creatures as we are!
4. If God be so great, what must it be to be under His wrath for ever!
5. If God he so great, what will it be to enjoy His love, favour, and presence for ever. (T. Jones.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 6. For who in the heaven] shachak signifies the ethereal regions, all visible or unbounded space; the universe. Who is like Jesus? given in his human nature none of the sons of the mighty can be compared with him. He atones for the sin of the world, and saves to the uttermost all who come unto God through him.
This may also be considered a reproof to idolaters. Is there any among the heavenly hosts like to God? Even the most glorious of them were made by his hands. Can the stars, or the more distant planets, or the moon, or the sun, be likened unto God most high?
Who among the sons of the mighty] Instead of elim, mighty ones, four of Kennicott’s and De Rossi’s MSS. have eil, strength: – sons of strength, strong persons. Several of the Versions seem to have read Elohim, GOD, instead of elim, strong ones. So my old Psalter, following the Vulgate. – For wha in the clowdes sal be evened to Lorde; like sal be to God in sons of God! which it paraphrases thus: “Emang al haly men nane may be evened to Ihu Crist: and nane may be like to hym in God’s sons: for he is God’s son be kynde, and thai thrugh grace.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Among the sons of the mighty; either, first, among the potentates of the earth; or rather, secondly, among the highest angels; who well may and needs must admire and adore time, because thou art incomparably and infinitely more excellent than they.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6, 7. This is worthy of ourbelief, for His faithfulness (is praised) by the congregation ofsaints or holy ones; that is, angels (compare Deu 33:2;Dan 8:13).
sons of the mighty(comparePs 29:1). So is He to beadmired on earth.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord?…. Or “ranked” n, or put upon a par, with him; none of the angels in heaven; for though they are holy, wise, knowing, powerful, faithful, kind, and merciful creatures, yet not to be compared with the Lord for holiness, wisdom, knowledge, strength, faithfulness, and mercy; see
Ex 15:11,
who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? the Syriac version very wrongly renders it “the sons of angels”, seeing angels do not propagate their species, Lu 20:36 to which Kimchi agrees, who makes the “mighty” to be angels, and their sons to be the host of heaven, which are moved and guided by them: the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Ethiopic, and Arabic versions, render it “the sons of God”; and this phrase, indeed, is applicable to the angels, Job 38:7, and so the Targum interprets it of the multitude of the angels; but rather the mighty men of the earth, and their children, are meant; princes, nobles, judges, and civil magistrates of all sorts, men of power and authority in the world; there are none of them to be likened to the Lord, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords; see Ps 82:1.
n “par aestimetur”, Junius Tremellius “par aestimabitur”, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
6 For who in the clouds can be compared to Jehovah? The prophet now proceeds to illustrate farther what he had said respecting God’s wonders, and exclaims emphatically, Who in the clouds can be compared to God? The reason why he speaks of the clouds, or heaven, is because, what is not surprising, nothing is to be found upon the earth which can at all approach the glory of God. Although man excels other living creatures, yet we see how contemptible and miserable his condition is, or rather, how full it is of shame and reproach. Whence it follows, that under heaven there is no excellence which can compete with that of God. But when we ascend to heaven, immediately ravished with admiration, we conceive of a multitude of gods, which do away with the true God. The last clause of the verse, in which it is said, that among the sons of the gods there is none like the true and only God, is an explanation of the first. The opinion of some, that by the clouds, or the heavens, is to be understood the sun, moon, and stars, is disproved by the context itself. The amount then is, that even in the heavens, God alone has the entire pre-eminence, having there none as a companion or equal. The appellation the sons of the gods is here given to angels, because they neither have their origin from the earth, nor are clothed with a corruptible body, but are celestial spirits, adorned with a Divine glory. It is not meant that they are a part of the Divine essence or substance, as some fanatics dream; but as God displays his power in them, this title is attributed to them, to distinguish between their nature and ours. In short, although a greater majesty shines forth in the angels than in other creatures, at the contemplation of which we are ravished with admiration, yet come they not near God, so as to obscure and impair his glory by their excellence, or to share with him in the sovereignty of the universe. This is a point worthy of our careful attention; for, although God everywhere declares in his word that the angels are only his servants, and always ready to execute his commands, yet the world, not contented with having only one God, forges for itself a countless number of deities.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(6) Sons of the mighty.Rather, sons of Godi.e., angels. (Comp. Psa. 29:1.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. Who in the heaven This recognises orders of created beings in “heaven.” To say glorified saints are not included, is to deny that they are in “heaven.” See notes on Psa 16:3; Psa 73:25.
Sons of the mighty Hebrew, Sons of God. So in Psa 29:1, “O ye mighty,” is O sons of God, an advance upon “who in heaven,” which included all orders whatsoever, while this designates angels, specially the higher order, archangels. These are created beings messengers of God doing his will. The supremacy of God over nature and all orders of being is pure theism.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 89:6. Who among the sons of the mighty, &c. i.e. Of the most mighty princes upon earth: But some understand this of the angels, who, in Job 1:6 are particularly styled the Sons of God.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
These verses contain a blessed hymn of praise. Jehovah’s name, and his perfections, are gratefully celebrated. His sovereignty, grace, power, love, and goodness, are beautifully set forth, and most thankfully acknowledged. The destruction of Israel’s enemies, in the ruin of Rahab (meaning Pharaoh) is particularly mentioned with praise. And as this was typical of Christ’s victory over Satan and all the enemies of the church, so believers find great consolation in the assured interest they have in Christ and his finished salvation. Hence the prophet, ages before it was accomplished, looking back to the event of Egypt’s destruction, sang aloud of the victories of Jesus. Art thou not it which hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art thou not it which hast dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? Therefore the redeemed, of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads, etc. Isa 51:9-11 . I only detain the Reader with one short observation more upon these sweet verses, just to remark, that Tabor and Hermon, which are here said, in a figurative manner, to rejoice in Jehovah’s name, are much spoken of in the Old Testament scriptures, and perhaps with peculiar reference to the New. Those hills, the one to the east, and the other to the west, in Canaan, were much frequented by the saints of God. David speaks of the sacred hill of Hermon, and compares brotherly-love to the dew of it, Psa 133:3Psa 133:3 . And Tabor is yet more eminent, as being the memorable spot of Christ’s transfiguration, where God the Father proclaimed his perfect love and approbation of Jesus as his dear Son. Well might this hymn, therefore, in allusion to those glorious events, call even the holy hills to rejoice in Jehovah’s name. Mat 17:1-5 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 89:6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? [who] among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
Ver. 6. For who in the heaven can be compared? &c ] Thou far transcendest the brightest cherub, all Whose excellence is but derivative, a drop of thine ocean, a spark of thy flame.
Who among the sons of the mighty
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
who. Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6. This is the cry of all His saints. See note on Exo 15:11.
heaven = sky. Same word as Psa 89:37.
sons of the mighty = sons of Elim = the angels.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
For who: Psa 89:8, Psa 40:5, Psa 71:19, Psa 73:25, Psa 86:8, Psa 113:5, Exo 15:11, Jer 10:6
the sons: Psa 29:1, *marg. Psa 52:1
Reciprocal: Exo 8:10 – there is none Deu 3:24 – what God 1Sa 2:2 – rock 2Sa 7:22 – none 1Ki 8:23 – no God 1Ch 17:20 – none 2Ch 6:14 – no God Psa 35:10 – who Psa 77:13 – who Psa 93:4 – mightier Psa 135:5 – I know Son 2:3 – my beloved Son 5:16 – most Isa 40:18 – General Isa 46:5 – General Jer 10:7 – among Jer 49:19 – who is like Jer 50:44 – for who Mic 7:18 – a God
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 89:6-7. Who among the sons of the mighty That is, of the most mighty princes upon earth: or among the highest angels; who well may and needs must admire and adore thee, because thou art incomparably and infinitely more excellent than they. God is greatly to be feared With a fear of reverence; for dread and terror have no place in those blessed mansions, and holy spirits. In the assembly of the saints The whole society of angels, called saints, or holy ones, again, as in Psa 89:5. And to be had in reverence of all about him The angels, who are always in his presence, and encompass his throne.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
89:6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? [who] among the {g} sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
(g) Meaning, the angels.