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Psalms 93

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The LORD Reigns in Majesty 1–5

1
Jehovah reigneth; he is clothed with majesty; Jehovah is clothed with strength; he hath girded himself therewith: The world also is established, that it cannot be moved. ​
2
Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from everlasting. ​
3
The floods have lifted up, O Jehovah, The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves. ​
4
Above the voices of many waters, The mighty breakers of the sea, Jehovah on high is mighty. ​
5
Thy testimonies are very sure: Holiness becometh thy house, O Jehovah, for evermore. ​

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for Psalms 93

Verse 1

The LORD reigneth — Malak, 'reigneth', begins Ps 97:1 and 99:1 in the same words, and Ps 96:10 says 'Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth'. 'Clothed' is lavash, 'girded' is azar, to bind on a belt. 'Cannot be moved' is mot, the verb of Ps 82:5, where injustice shakes the earth's foundations. John hears 'the Lord God omnipotent reigneth' (Rev 19:6).

Verse 2

Thy throne is established of old — 'Established' is kun, the verb used of the world in v.1, so the throne and the earth both stand on the same word. 'Of old' (az) and 'from everlasting' (olam) give the throne no beginning, as Ps 90:2 says, 'from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God'. Hebrews applies Ps 45:6 to the Son: 'Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever' (Heb 1:8).

Verse 3

The floods have lifted up — 'Floods' (nahar) and 'lifted up' (nasa) each occur three times in the verse, and doki, 'waves', a dashing of surf, is found only here. Ps 65:7 names what the LORD stills: 'the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people'. The waters have a 'voice' (qol), and v.4 answers it.

Verse 4

mightier than the noise of many waters — 'Noise' is qol, the same word as the floods' 'voice' in v.3. 'Mightier' (addir) is set against it, and 'on high' (marom) shows where the LORD sits. Ps 89:9 says 'Thou rulest the raging of the sea', and Christ 'said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm' (Mark 4:39).

Verse 5

Thy testimonies are very sure — 'Sure' is aman, to be firm and faithful, the root of 'Amen', as in 'the testimony of the LORD is sure' (Ps 19:7). 'Becometh' is naah, to be at home, suited to. 'For ever' is literally 'for length of days' (orek yamim), the phrase of Ps 23:6, 'I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever'.