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Psalm 89:27
I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
25I will set his hand also on the sea, and his right hand on the rivers.
26He will call to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation!’
27I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
28I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more. My covenant will stand firm with him.
29I will also make his offspring endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
Notice
The words “I will also appoint” put the king’s rank in God’s hands, challenging the sense that earthly rulers hold the highest authority.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What does the pairing of “firstborn” and “highest” suggest about the honor God grants this king?
Write on thisHow does “the highest of the kings of the earth” shape your view of earthly authority?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Romans 8:29For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.Both use “firstborn” for a place of honor, with the psalm speaking of a king and Romans of God’s Son among brothers.
Revelation 1:5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our …Both join “firstborn” with supremacy over “the kings of the earth”; Revelation names Jesus Christ as that ruler.
Colossians 1:15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.Both use the title “firstborn”: Psalm 89 pairs it with the highest royal rank, while Colossians speaks of all creation.
Psalm 2:7I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father.God grants the king the status of “firstborn” in Psalm 89 and declares “You are my son” in Psalm 2.
Matthew 28:18Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.Both describe authority received: God appoints the king in the psalm, and Jesus says all authority has been given to him.
Philippians 2:9Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name,God grants the highest royal rank in Psalm 89, while Philippians describes God exalting Jesus and giving him the name above every name.
Psalm 2:8Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.Both present God granting royal greatness across the earth, through rank above kings in Psalm 89 and possession of nations in Psalm 2.
Colossians 1:18He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.Both connect “firstborn” with supremacy: the psalm names the highest king, while Colossians describes preeminence in all things.
Revelation 19:16He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”The psalm’s “highest of the kings of the earth” shares the royal supremacy expressed by Revelation’s title “KING OF KINGS”.
Psalm 72:11Yes, all kings shall fall down before him. All nations shall serve him.Both describe a king above other kings: Psalm 89 names his rank, and Psalm 72 describes their submission.
Numbers 24:7Water shall flow from his buckets. His seed shall be in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag. His kingdom shall be exalted.Both speak of an exalted king, though Numbers names superiority over Agag and Psalm 89 names superiority over all earthly kings.
Psalm 2:6“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”God establishes the king in both passages, appointing his rank in Psalm 89 and setting him on Zion in Psalm 2.
Where this verse fits
Praise and worship. fear for the future. sermon or Bible study notes.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
God’s promise to David reaches above every earthly throne. The king’s place rests on God’s appointment, and even the highest king remains under the God who appoints him.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).