What Does Psalms 89:25 Mean?

I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers. This verse promises extensive territorial dominion using symbolic geography. I will set his hand in the sea employs wə-śam-tî ḇay-yām yādô (וְשַׂמְתִּי בַיָּם יָדוֹ), where śîm (שִׂים) means to place, establish, set firmly. The "sea" (yām, יָם) likely refers to the Mediterranean Sea to the west, though it may symbolically represent all waters. The "hand" (yāḏ, יָד) represents power, control, and dominion.

And his right hand in the rivers uses parallel structure. The "right hand" (yəmînô, יְמִינוֹ) symbolizes authority and strength (the place of honor and power). "Rivers" (ban-nəhārôṯ, בַּנְּהָרוֹת) likely refers to the Euphrates and perhaps other major waterways to the east and north. Together, sea and rivers form a merism (two extremes representing totality)—from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates, the full extent of the Promised Land (Genesis 15:18, Exodus 23:31).

This isn't just about geography but sovereignty over creation. The imagery echoes God's own dominion: "The sea is His, for He made it" (Psalm 95:5). God delegates this authority to His anointed king. Ultimately fulfilled in Christ, to whom "all authority in heaven and on earth" has been given (Matthew 28:18), whose kingdom extends from sea to sea (Zechariah 9:10), and who will reign where "the river" flows from God's throne (Revelation 22:1).