Psalm 89/Notes/Lexical.v. 26.524079

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  • The word נְהָרִים, parallel with "sea" (יָם), probably refers to "sea-currents" (HALOT; Gesenius 2013, 789: "Meeresströmmungen oder mythische Strömungen"; cf. Isa 44:27; Ps 24:2) rather than to fresh-water rivers. Cf. Jonah 2:4(3): "You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents (וְנָהָר) swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me" (NIV). Alternatively, according to TDOT, the plural נהרות might be "a plural of amplification or extension," referring to "the great river, the sea (Isa. 44:27; 50:2; Ps. 78:16; 137:1), or the deep (24:2; 74:15; Hab. 3:8)." In either case, the reference is sea-related and has associations with chaos.
  • It is also possible that "sea" refers to the Mediterranean Sea and "rivers" refers to the Tigris and Euphrates (cf. Goldingay 2006, 678). But in light of vv. 10-11, this verse is more likely about the king's divine-like power over chaos and his control over political enemies (depicted here as the sea; cf. Ps 46).