who are "the sons of the mighty" (Psalm 89:6)?

Psalm 89:6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

The overall tenor of this psalm is clearly stated in verse 1, where the writer proclaimed, "I will sing of the mercies of the lORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations." Following this introductory verse, the inspired penman described the unique qualities of the divine.

In verse 6, the psalmist touted the unique and superior position of God. Throughout these six verses, God is referred to in the King James English as all capitalized letters, "LORD." In the original Hebrew, the word is Yahweh, or what we commonly term as Jehovah.

This word does not connote the Trinity, as the Hebrew word for God, Elohim, does (which is a plural word). The truth of the Trinity is reiterated throughout the Scriptures from the Book of Beginnings (Genesis) throughout the remainder of the sacred canon. In Genesis 1:26, the plural word Elohim is used when it declares, "And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness," all speaking in the plural. This is a clear reference, prior to the creation of man, that there is indeed a Triune Godhead.

However, in Psalm 89, the burden is to convey the unique and singular qualities of the "LORD," Yahweh—that the position of the role of God the Father is superior to all, even the other personages of the Triune Godhead. Jesus substantiated this in John 14:28 when He proclaimed, "For my Father is greater than I."

The burden of the writer of Psalm 89:6 is to convey the unique and superior position of the "Lord," Yahweh. When the psalmist spoke of "the sons of the mighty," the original Hebrew may bring clarity to what this verse is conveying. In the Hebrew, it reads, "For who in the heavens can be compared to Yahweh, who can be likened to Yahweh among the sons of the mighty?" One scholar rendered "sons of the mighty" as "sons of God." Regardless, this verse, as much of this psalm, is setting forth some of the unique and singular qualities of "the LORD."
 
This verse is not addressing nor discounting the reality of the Trinity. Rather, the inspiration of this verse is dealing with the superiority of the "LORD" to man, even those who enjoy the exalted position of being "sons of God." When time reels into eternity, after the Second Advent of Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:28 tells us, "And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." 
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This, in essence, is what Psalm 89:6 is setting forth as well, the unique and superior position of "the Lord," Yahweh.

Earl R. Borders

From the  February 2025 issue of The Gospel Trumpeter