Psalms 93:3

KJV

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

KJV (with Strong's)

The floods {H5104} have lifted up {H5375}{H8804)}, O LORD {H3068}, the floods {H5104} have lifted up {H5375}{H8804)} their voice {H6963}; the floods {H5104} lift up {H5375}{H8799)} their waves {H1796}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI, the deep is raising up, the deep is raising up its voice, the deep is raising its crashing waves.

Berean Standard Bible

The floodwaters have risen, O LORD; the rivers have raised their voice; the seas lift up their pounding waves.

American Standard Version

The floods have lifted up, O Jehovah, The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 93:3 powerfully depicts the formidable and relentless forces of chaos, symbolized by "the floods," which rise with a clamorous voice and surging waves. This verse vividly portrays an apparent challenge to divine order, personifying these overwhelming powers as if they possess a will and an assertive presence. It sets the stage for the psalm's ultimate declaration of the Lord's supreme and unyielding sovereignty over all creation, even the most turbulent elements.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 93 stands as a quintessential enthronement psalm, celebrating the eternal and majestic reign of the LORD. The preceding verses, [Psalms 93:1-2](/psalms/93-1 "Psalms 93:1-2 - The Lord Reigns"), declare God's kingship, His clothing in majesty and strength, and the stability of the world established by Him. Verse 3 then introduces a dramatic contrast, presenting the chaotic "floods" as a formidable, rising opposition. This imagery creates a tension that is immediately resolved in [Psalms 93:4](/psalms/93-4 "Psalms 93:4 - The Lord is Mightier Than the Waters"), where the psalmist emphatically asserts the Lord's might and supremacy over these very waters. Thus, verse 3 is not a statement of God's weakness, but rather a vivid portrayal of the challenge that highlights the even greater power of God, serving as a poetic foil to His absolute dominion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the imagery of "floods" or "mighty waters" frequently symbolized chaos, primordial disorder, and the forces that threatened the established order of creation. Many ancient mythologies featured deities battling and subduing chaotic waters (e.g., Babylonian myths of Tiamat). Within the Israelite worldview, however, it was Yahweh alone who effortlessly brought order out of chaos at creation (as seen in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account")) and demonstrated His power over the waters in historical events like the Red Sea crossing. Therefore, the "floods" in this psalm would have resonated with both the universal human experience of overwhelming natural forces and the specific historical memory of God's powerful interventions, reinforcing the unique sovereignty of Israel's God over all cosmic and earthly powers.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 93 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores **The Power of Chaos**, portraying the "floods" as overwhelming, uncontrollable forces, which can be interpreted as literal natural disasters, human rebellion, societal unrest, or even spiritual opposition. Their "voice" and "waves" signify their formidable and threatening presence. Secondly, by setting up this challenge, the verse implicitly highlights **God's Unchallenged Sovereignty**, a theme explicitly declared in the subsequent verse. Despite the apparent power of the floods, the psalm's ultimate message is God's supreme authority over all creation and all opposing forces. The floods may rage, but the Lord is mightier. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Authority over All Elements**, demonstrating God's dominion even over the most untamed aspects of His creation, solidifying His role as the ultimate ruler and sustainer of the universe, as seen in passages like [Psalms 29:10](/psalms/29-10 "Psalms 29:10 - The Lord Enthroned Over the Flood").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Floods (Hebrew, _nəhārōṯ_ / מַיִם רַבִּים, _mayim rabbim'_):** The Hebrew word נְהָרוֹת (neharot) typically refers to rivers, but in poetic and prophetic contexts, especially when paired with the imagery of "lifting up" and "waves," it often broadens to encompass "mighty waters" (מַיִם רַבִּים, mayim rabbim), symbolizing overwhelming, chaotic forces. These can be literal natural phenomena like raging rivers or oceans, or metaphorical representations of hostile nations, societal upheaval, or personal tribulations that threaten to engulf and overpower. The use of this term here evokes a sense of vastness, power, and potential destruction.
* **Lifted up (Hebrew, _nāśāʾ'_):** The verb נָשָׂא (nāśāʾ), meaning "to lift up," "to carry," or "to raise," is repeated three times in this verse ("have lifted up," "have lifted up," "lift up"). This **repetition** is a powerful rhetorical device, intensifying the imagery and emphasizing the relentless, persistent, and formidable nature of the rising threats. It conveys a sense of increasing momentum and an assertive, almost defiant, posture on the part of the floods, amplifying their roar and visual impact as they swell and surge.
* **Voice (Hebrew, _qōl'_):** The word קוֹל (qōl) refers to a sound, voice, or noise. Attributing a "voice" to the floods is a striking instance of **personification**. It transforms the natural phenomenon from an inanimate force into an active, almost sentient entity that can speak or roar. This "voice" is not a gentle murmur but a clamorous, threatening sound, signaling the overwhelming and intimidating presence of chaos. It suggests a challenge, a declaration of power, and a cacophony that seeks to drown out all other sounds.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The floods have lifted up, O LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes the central tension of the verse. The "floods" are presented as an active, powerful entity that has "lifted up" or risen. The direct address "O LORD" (יהוה, YHWH) is significant, placing the rising chaos directly before God, acknowledging His ultimate authority even as the challenge is presented. It sets the stage for a confrontation between the forces of disorder and the divine King.
* **"the floods have lifted up their voice":** This clause deepens the personification of the floods. They are not merely rising physically but are also asserting themselves audibly. Their "voice" is the roar of the tempest, the crash of waves, the clamor of chaos. This auditory imagery conveys the intimidating and overwhelming nature of the forces at play, suggesting a defiance or a declaration of their own power against the established order.
* **"the floods lift up their waves":** The final clause provides a vivid visual image, completing the sensory experience of the raging floods. The "waves" are the physical manifestation of the floods' power, rising high and threatening. The continuous action implied by "lift up" (present tense) emphasizes the relentless and persistent nature of this threat, suggesting an ongoing struggle or a constant surge of tumultuous energy.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 93:3 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of powerful, chaotic waters. The description of "floods" that "lift up their voice" and "lift up their waves" appeals to both auditory and visual senses, immersing the reader in the scene of tumultuous natural forces. The most prominent device is **Personification**, where the inanimate "floods" are given human-like qualities: they "lift up their voice," implying a conscious act of speaking or roaring, and they "lift up their waves" as if in a deliberate gesture of power or defiance. This personification elevates the floods from mere natural phenomena to formidable, almost adversarial entities. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of "the floods have lifted up" (three times) serves as an emphatic device, intensifying the sense of the floods' relentless power and persistence. This triple repetition creates a rhythmic, almost chant-like effect, underscoring the overwhelming nature of the forces at play and building dramatic tension before the resolution found in the subsequent verse.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 93:3, while portraying the formidable power of chaos, ultimately serves to magnify the incomparable sovereignty of God. Theologically, it echoes the biblical understanding that while disorder and opposition may arise, they are never outside the purview or ultimate control of the Creator. This verse taps into the ancient Near Eastern cosmological understanding of a world constantly threatened by primordial waters, yet it redefines this by asserting Yahweh's absolute dominion over such forces. It reminds us that God is not merely powerful, but His power is uniquely supreme, capable of establishing order and maintaining stability even amidst the most violent upheavals. The "floods" can symbolize any force that seeks to usurp God's authority or bring chaos to His creation, whether natural disasters, human rebellion, or spiritual warfare, all of which are ultimately subject to the King enthroned above the flood.

* [Genesis 1:9](/genesis/1-9 "Genesis 1:9 - God Gathers the Waters") - God's initial act of ordering creation by separating and gathering the waters, demonstrating His inherent power over chaos.
* [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm") - Jesus's demonstration of divine authority over natural forces, rebuking the wind and sea, showcasing God's power made manifest in human form.
* [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8 "Job 38:8-11 - God Confines the Sea") - God's rhetorical questions to Job, highlighting His power in setting boundaries for the sea, reinforcing His ultimate control over the "floods."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often characterized by turbulence, uncertainty, and overwhelming challenges, Psalms 93:3 offers a profound and enduring message for the believer. Life's "floods" can manifest in myriad ways: personal crises, societal unrest, economic instability, spiritual attacks, or the relentless noise of a chaotic world. These "floods" often seem to "lift up their voice," clamoring for our attention, threatening our peace, and attempting to drown out the voice of truth. Yet, this verse, when understood in its full context, calls us to lift our gaze beyond the immediate chaos and fix it upon the eternally enthroned Lord. It reminds us that no matter how high the waves of adversity, how loud the clamor of opposition, or how strong the current of despair, God's sovereignty remains absolute and unshaken. Our peace is not found in the absence of floods, but in the unwavering presence and power of the One who is mightier than the mighty waters. It is an invitation to trust, to find stability in His unchanging reign, and to rest in the assurance that He is ultimately in control, even when circumstances seem turbulent and out of control.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "floods" are currently lifting up their voice or waves in your life, threatening your peace or sense of stability?**
* **How does remembering God's ultimate sovereignty over these "floods" change your perspective on your current challenges?**
* **In what ways can you actively choose to trust in the Lord's enthroned power, even when the chaos around you seems overwhelming?**
* **How might this psalm encourage you to pray differently for yourself, your community, or the world in the face of widespread unrest or difficulty?**

### FAQ
**What do "floods" symbolize in Psalms 93:3?**

Answer: In Psalms 93:3, "floods" (Hebrew: *nəhārōṯ* or *mayim rabbim*) primarily symbolize powerful, chaotic, and often hostile forces that rise in opposition to God's established order. While they can literally refer to raging rivers or oceans, in this poetic and theological context, they extend to represent any overwhelming and threatening power. This includes natural disasters, but more profoundly, it encompasses metaphorical "floods" such as hostile nations, societal unrest, human rebellion against divine authority, or even personal trials and spiritual attacks that threaten to overwhelm an individual. The imagery taps into ancient Near Eastern concepts of primordial chaos, which God alone brought into order at creation (as seen in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account")), and over which He maintains absolute control.

**How does Psalms 93:3 relate to the rest of Psalm 93?**

Answer: Psalms 93:3 functions as a crucial dramatic contrast within the psalm. The preceding verses ([Psalms 93:1-2](/psalms/93-1 "Psalms 93:1-2 - The Lord Reigns in Majesty")) declare the Lord's eternal and majestic reign, His strength, and the stability of the world He established. Verse 3 then introduces the "floods" as a formidable, rising challenge to this divine order, creating a sense of tension and potential chaos. However, this tension is immediately resolved in the very next verse, [Psalms 93:4](/psalms/93-4 "Psalms 93:4 - The Lord is Mightier Than the Waters"), which emphatically declares, "The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea." Thus, verse 3 serves to highlight the magnitude of the challenge, thereby magnifying the even greater, unchallenged power and sovereignty of God over all chaotic forces. It is a poetic device to underscore God's supremacy.

**Does this verse imply God is struggling with chaos?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God is struggling with chaos or that His reign is ever truly threatened. While it vividly portrays the *appearance* of a formidable challenge from the "floods," the full context of Psalm 93 makes it clear that God's sovereignty is absolute and unchallenged. The psalmist describes the floods' power to emphasize the *overwhelming* nature of the forces that God effortlessly controls. It's a rhetorical strategy to magnify God's power by showing the strength of what He overcomes, rather than suggesting a genuine struggle. The Lord is consistently depicted as enthroned above the flood, demonstrating His inherent and unwavering dominion over all creation, including its most turbulent elements (see [Psalms 29:10](/psalms/29-10 "Psalms 29:10 - The Lord Enthroned Over the Flood")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 93:3, with its portrayal of chaotic "floods" rising against divine order, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament consistently presents Yahweh as the One who tames the primordial waters and establishes order, and in the New Testament, this divine authority is perfectly embodied in Jesus. He is the Word through whom all things were created, and by whom all things hold together ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created Through Him")). The most striking demonstration of this is when Jesus, in His earthly ministry, rebuked the wind and the sea, and "there was a great calm" ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). The disciples' astonished question, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" ([Matthew 8:27](/matthew/8-27 "Matthew 8:27 - Who Then Is This?")), points directly to His divine identity as the very Lord enthroned above the flood. Furthermore, the "floods" can represent the chaos of sin, death, and evil, which Jesus decisively conquered through His crucifixion and resurrection. He has overcome the world and its tribulations ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Has Overcome the World")), and He now reigns supreme, upholding the universe by the word of His power ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Upholding All Things by His Word")). Thus, the King of Glory, who is mightier than the noise of many waters, is none other than Christ, who sits at the right hand of God, far above all rule and authority ([Ephesians 1:20](/ephesians/1-20 "Ephesians 1:20 - Seated at God's Right Hand")), and whose voice, like the roar of many waters, declares His eternal sovereignty ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - I Am the Living One")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 96:11

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

Psalms 69:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, [A Psalm] of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto [my] soul.

Psalms 69:2

I sink in deep mire, where [there is] no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

Psalms 18:4

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

Psalms 124:3

Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

Psalms 124:5

Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

Isaiah 55:12

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands.