Psalms 93:4

KJV

The LORD on high [is] mightier than the noise of many waters, [yea, than] the mighty waves of the sea.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} on high {H4791} is mightier {H117} than the noise {H6963} of many {H7227} waters {H4325}, yea, than the mighty {H117} waves {H4867} of the sea {H3220}.

Complete Jewish Bible

More than the sound of rushing waters or the mighty breakers of the sea, ADONAI on high is mighty.

Berean Standard Bible

Above the roar of many waters— the mighty breakers of the sea— the LORD on high is majestic.

American Standard Version

Above the voices of many waters, The mighty breakers of the sea, Jehovah on high is mighty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 93:4 powerfully declares the unparalleled supremacy and transcendent might of the Lord, who is enthroned "on high." Through vivid poetic imagery, the verse asserts that God's power far exceeds the most formidable and tumultuous forces of creation, specifically the "noise of many waters" and the "mighty waves of the sea." This declaration serves as a profound affirmation of divine sovereignty, control, and the unshakeable stability of God's eternal reign over all chaos and opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 93 stands as a foundational text within the collection of "Enthronement Psalms" (often grouped with Psalms 95-99), which collectively celebrate Yahweh's kingship and eternal reign. The psalm opens with the resounding declaration, "The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved" [Psalms 93:1](/psalms/93-1 "Psalms 93:1 - The Lord Reigns"). Verse 4 directly builds upon this initial assertion, providing a concrete and awe-inspiring illustration of God's reigning power. By comparing God's might to the overwhelming forces of the sea, the psalmist vividly portrays the Lord's absolute dominion over all that is chaotic, uncontrollable, and threatening in the created order, reinforcing the theme of His unshakeable throne established "of old" [Psalms 93:2](/psalms/93-2 "Psalms 93:2 - God's Throne Established"). The preceding verses establish God's eternal nature and the stability of His kingdom, making His power over the waters a natural progression of His majestic rule.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the sea was often viewed as a symbol of primordial chaos, untamed power, and a source of existential threat. Many pagan mythologies depicted deities engaged in cosmic battles with sea monsters or personified waters to establish order and kingship. Against this backdrop, the biblical portrayal of Yahweh's effortless dominion over the waters is a radical theological statement. Accounts like God's Spirit hovering over the primeval waters in [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - Spirit of God over the Waters") or His miraculous parting of the Red Sea in [Exodus 14:21](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Parting of the Red Sea") directly challenged these pagan notions, establishing God as the sole, supreme Creator and Controller of all things. Furthermore, "many waters" could also metaphorically represent the tumultuous, hostile nations or the overwhelming forces of human rebellion and societal unrest, making God's might over them a source of comfort and assurance for Israel amidst geopolitical instability.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 93 and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **God's Absolute Sovereignty**, emphasizing His ultimate authority and control over all creation, both visible and invisible. He is "on high," signifying His transcendent and supreme position above all earthly powers and natural phenomena, a theme echoed in passages like [Isaiah 6:1](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1 - God Enthroned on High"). Another crucial theme is **Divine Power Over Chaos**, where the "noise of many waters" and "mighty waves of the sea" serve as potent metaphors for overwhelming natural disasters, human turmoil, or even hostile political powers. The verse assures the reader that God's power far surpasses these, bringing comfort, stability, and an assurance of His unwavering reign, reminiscent of God's power over the deep in [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8-11 "Job 38:8-11 - God Setting Boundaries for the Sea"). Finally, the verse highlights **God's Unchallengeable Majesty**, underscoring His unique and incomparable greatness. No force, however powerful or threatening, can challenge His reign or diminish His might, reinforcing the declaration of His eternal throne in [Psalms 93:2](/psalms/93-2 "Psalms 93:2 - God's Throne Established").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the sacred covenant name of God, often translated as "Jehovah" or "the Lord." It signifies "the self-Existent or Eternal One," emphasizing God's absolute being, His unchanging nature, and His covenant faithfulness. In Psalms 93:4, the use of this specific name underscores that it is the personal, relational God of Israel who possesses this unparalleled might and sovereignty.
* **Mightier (Hebrew, _ʼaddîyr'_):** From H117, this word conveys a profound sense of majesty, nobility, and immense strength. It describes something grand, powerful, and excellent, often used to denote a lordly or principal figure. When applied to the Lord, it emphasizes His inherent, incomparable greatness and His supreme authority that transcends all other powers. It's not merely a comparative strength, but an absolute, majestic power that is qualitatively superior.
* **Waves (Hebrew, _mishbâr'_):** From H4867, this term specifically refers to a "breaker" of the sea, a billow, or a crashing wave. It denotes the most powerful and often destructive manifestations of the ocean's force. The choice of this word, rather than a more general term for water, intensifies the imagery of the sea's raw, untamed, and potentially overwhelming power, against which the Lord's might is explicitly contrasted and proven superior.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD on high [is] mightier":** This opening clause establishes the subject and His supreme position. "The LORD" (Yahweh) identifies the covenant God of Israel, the eternal and self-existent One. "On high" (H4791, _mârôwm_) signifies His transcendent, exalted, and sovereign dwelling place, far above earthly limitations and challenges. The declaration that He "is mightier" (H117, _ʼaddîyr_) immediately asserts His incomparable power and authority over all other forces, setting the stage for the subsequent comparisons.
* **"than the noise of many waters":** This introduces the first point of comparison. The "noise of many waters" (H6963 _qôwl_ H7227 _rab_ H4325 _mayim_) refers to the overwhelming, tumultuous sound and force of vast bodies of water, symbolizing chaos, danger, and uncontrollable natural power. The phrase evokes a sense of deafening, chaotic power, suggesting both the literal roar of a mighty ocean and the metaphorical tumult of human or cosmic forces. The Lord's might is declared to surpass even this formidable, overwhelming force.
* **"[yea, than] the mighty waves of the sea":** This second comparison serves as an intensification and re-emphasis of the first. "Mighty waves of the sea" (H117 _ʼaddîyr_ H4867 _mishbâr_ H3220 _yâm_) specifically highlights the most powerful and destructive aspects of the ocean – the crashing, overwhelming breakers. By stating that the Lord is mightier even than these, the psalmist underscores God's absolute and unchallengeable dominion over the most formidable and chaotic elements of creation. The "yea, than" emphasizes the superlative nature of God's power, moving from the general "noise of many waters" to the specific, terrifying "mighty waves."

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 93:4 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine supremacy. **Imagery** is central, as the psalmist vividly paints a picture of the tumultuous sea with its "noise" and "mighty waves," appealing to the reader's sense of hearing and sight to evoke the overwhelming power of nature. This concrete imagery then serves as a powerful point of **Contrast** to highlight the even greater, incomparable power of the Lord. The "noise of many waters" and "the mighty waves of the sea" function as **Metaphors** for any overwhelming, chaotic, or threatening force – whether literal natural disasters, human turmoil, or the tumultuous nations of the world. This allows the verse to speak to a universal human experience of facing overwhelming challenges. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Synonymous Parallelism**, where "the noise of many waters" and "the mighty waves of the sea" essentially convey the same idea through different but reinforcing images. This repetition serves to amplify the message and impress upon the reader the sheer magnitude of God's power in contrast to even the most formidable earthly forces.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 93:4 is a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty and His inherent power over all creation, particularly over forces that symbolize chaos and opposition. It echoes the biblical narrative of God as the Creator who brings order out of disorder, establishing His dominion over the primeval waters (Genesis 1). This verse reassures believers that the same God who set boundaries for the raging sea also governs the affairs of humanity and the cosmos. It underscores His unwavering control amidst any earthly tumult, whether literal storms, political unrest, or personal crises, affirming that His throne is eternally secure and His reign is unchallengeable.

* [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - Spirit Hovering Over the Waters")
* [Exodus 14:21](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Parting of the Red Sea")
* [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8-11 "Job 38:8-11 - God Setting Boundaries for the Sea")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world frequently marked by uncertainty, conflict, and overwhelming challenges that can feel as chaotic and uncontrollable as "mighty waves," Psalms 93:4 offers immense comfort and a steadfast foundation for trust. This verse calls believers to lift their gaze above the immediate turmoil and fix it upon the Lord, who is incomparably greater than any problem, threat, or opposition we might face. It encourages us to find profound peace in the knowledge that God is ultimately in control, to trust in His unyielding and eternal power no matter how vast or complex a situation may seem, and to respond with profound reverence and adoration for a God whose power is limitless and whose throne is established forever. Amidst the loudest roars of life's challenges, this timeless declaration reminds us that the quiet, steadfast power of the Lord reigns supreme, inviting us to rest in His sovereign might and to live in confident assurance of His eternal reign.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over "many waters" impact your perspective on personal or global crises you are currently facing?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to surrender control and trust in God's mightier power, rather than being overwhelmed by the "noise of many waters"?**
* **How can reflecting on God's majesty as declared in Psalms 93:4 deepen your worship and adoration for Him today, leading to greater peace and less anxiety?**

### FAQ
**What do "many waters" and "mighty waves of the sea" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: In Psalms 93:4, "the noise of many waters" and "the mighty waves of the sea" carry both literal and symbolic meanings. Literally, they refer to the immense, powerful, and often destructive forces of the ocean, representing natural chaos and danger. Symbolically, these phrases are potent metaphors for any overwhelming, tumultuous, or threatening forces that might confront humanity or God's people. This can include the chaos of human rebellion, the unrest of hostile nations (as seen in [Revelation 17:15](/revelation/17-15 "Revelation 17:15 - Waters Representing Peoples and Nations"), where "waters" symbolize peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages), societal upheaval, or even the spiritual forces of evil. The verse's core message is that regardless of how formidable or chaotic these forces appear, the Lord's power and sovereignty transcend them all, establishing His unshakeable reign.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 93:4 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament declares God's sovereignty over the chaotic waters, the New Testament reveals this divine power incarnate in Jesus. He is the very embodiment of the Lord who is "on high" and "mightier than the noise of many waters." This is vividly demonstrated in the Gospels when Jesus, with a mere word, rebukes the wind and calms the raging sea, causing His disciples to marvel, "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm"). This miracle is not merely a display of supernatural power, but a direct manifestation of God's dominion over creation, proving Jesus to be Yahweh in the flesh. Furthermore, Christ's victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness represents His ultimate triumph over the "mighty waves" of spiritual chaos that threatened humanity, securing eternal peace for His followers. As the one through whom all things were created and by whom all things hold together [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer"), and who upholds the universe by the word of His power [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholding All Things"), Jesus is the living testament to the truth of Psalms 93:4, demonstrating God's unchallengeable might and the eternal stability of His reign.

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 65:7

Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

Psalms 89:9

Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

Psalms 114:3

The sea saw [it], and fled: Jordan was driven back.

Psalms 114:5

What [ailed] thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, [that] thou wast driven back?

Job 38:11

And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

Mark 4:37

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

Mark 4:39

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.