The Meaning of Psalms 89:6 Explained

Psalms 89:6

KJV: For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

YLT: For who in the sky, Compareth himself to Jehovah? Is like to Jehovah among sons of the mighty?

Darby: For who in the heaven can be compared to Jehovah? who among the sons of the mighty shall be likened to Jehovah?

ASV: For who in the skies can be compared unto Jehovah? Who among the sons of the mighty is like unto Jehovah,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For who in the heaven  can be compared  unto the LORD?  [who] among the sons  of the mighty  can be likened  unto the LORD? 

What does Psalms 89:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 89:1-18 - No God Like Our God
To understand this psalm we must turn to 2 Samuel 7:1-29, where God guaranteed that David's kingdom should be continued to his descendants. Nathan's words are quoted in Psalms 89:3-4. But in contrast with these promises, which were conditional upon the faithful obedience of David's descendants, the psalmist sorrowfully recites the disobedience of the Chosen People. There could be no doubt as to the divine faithfulness to Covenant engagements. See Psalms 89:1-2; Psalms 89:5; Psalms 89:8; Psalms 89:14. And the object of this psalm is to inquire whether that faithfulness does not include the recall and restoration of a sinful nation, as it most certainly does include the continued blessing of an obedient one.
In the first division, Psalms 89:1-18, the singer enumerates the divine attributes. God's mercy is conceived as a stately mansion, which is being reared, story by story, throughout the centuries. The enduring heavens, the mightiest natural forces, such as the tides, the glorious mountains, are emblems of qualities in God's nature. He is described as going forth in a triumphal procession, preceded by Mercy and Truth; and we are invited to accompany Him, and to walk in the light of His countenance. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 89

1  The psalmist praises God for his covenant
5  For his wonderful power
15  For the care of his church
19  For his favor to the kingdom of David
38  Then complaining of contrary events
46  He expostulates, prays, and blesses God

What do the individual words in Psalms 89:6 mean?

For who in the heavens can be compared to Yahweh [Who] can be likened to Yahweh among the sons of the mighty
כִּ֤י מִ֣י בַ֭שַּׁחַק יַעֲרֹ֣ךְ ؟ לַיהוָ֑ה יִדְמֶ֥ה ؟ לַ֝יהוָ֗ה בִּבְנֵ֥י אֵלִים‪‬

בַ֭שַּׁחַק  in  the  heavens 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: שַׁחַק  
Sense: dust, cloud.
יַעֲרֹ֣ךְ  can  be  compared 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָרַךְ  
Sense: to arrange, set or put or lay in order, set in array, prepare, order, ordain, handle, furnish, esteem, equal, direct, compare.
؟ לַיהוָ֑ה  to  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
יִדְמֶ֥ה  [Who]  can  be  likened 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: דָּמָה  
Sense: to be like, resemble.
؟ לַ֝יהוָ֗ה  to  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בִּבְנֵ֥י  among  the  sons 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
אֵלִים‪‬  of  the  mighty 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.