Psalms 89:25

Context

89:25 I will place his hand over the sea,

his right hand over the rivers.¹

Psalms 106:26

Context

106:26 So he made a solemn vow²

that he would make them die³ in the desert,

[89:25] ¹tn Some identify “the sea” as the Mediterranean and “the rivers” as the Euphrates and its tributaries. However, it is more likely that “the sea” and “the rivers” are symbols for hostile powers that oppose God and the king (see v. 9, as well as Ps 93:3-4).

[106:26] ²tn Heb “and he lifted his hand to [or “concerning”] them.” The idiom “to lift a hand” here refers to swearing an oath. One would sometimes solemnly lift one’s hand when making such a vow (see Ezek 20:5-6, 15).

[106:26] ³tn Heb “to cause them to fall.”