Wisdom & Poetry · Old Testament
Psalms 93
Psalm 93: the Lord reigns, mightier than the floods that lift their voice
General context
The psalm opens by declaring that the Lord reigneth, clothed with majesty and with strength with which he has girded himself, and that the world is stablished so that it cannot be moved. Turning to address God, it says his throne is established of old and he is from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, the floods have lifted up their voice, the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters and than the mighty waves of the sea. The psalm closes by saying God's testimonies are very sure and that holiness becometh his house for ever.
Cited passages: Psalms 93:1, Psalms 93:2, Psalms 93:3, Psalms 93:4, Psalms 93:5
Psalms 93 (KJV)
1The 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.
2Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
3The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
4The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
5Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.
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Historical context
This source prints no superscription; the psalm is five verses and opens with The Lord reigneth. No speaker is identified and no occasion is given. Verse 1 speaks of the Lord in the third person; verses 2, 3 and 5 address him as thou and O Lord, and verse 4 returns to the third person. The floods are the only opposing force named, and the psalm does not say what they stand for; it only sets their noise against the Lord on high. The house of verse 5 is not named or located, and the testimonies are not listed. There is no Selah.
Cited passages: Psalms 93:1, Psalms 93:2, Psalms 93:3, Psalms 93:4, Psalms 93:5
Literary context
The psalm is built on repetition and comparison. The word clothed is used twice in the first verse, once for majesty and once for strength. Verse 3 says the floods have lifted up three times, each time adding a word: lifted up, lifted up their voice, lift up their waves. Verse 4 answers all of that with a single comparison, mightier than. The world is stablished and the throne is established, so what cannot be moved is matched by a throne of old. The closing verse moves from the sea to testimonies and a house, and ends on holiness and for ever.
Cited passages: Psalms 93:1, Psalms 93:3, Psalms 93:4, Psalms 93:2, Psalms 93:5
Key moments
- The Lord reigneth (Psalms 93:1). The psalm declares the Lord clothed with majesty and strength, and the world stablished.
- A throne of old (Psalms 93:2). God is addressed as from everlasting, with a throne established of old.
- The floods lift their voice (Psalms 93:3). The floods are said three times to lift up, their voice and their waves.
- Mightier than many waters (Psalms 93:4). The Lord on high is compared with the noise and waves of the sea.
- Holiness for his house (Psalms 93:5). The psalm closes on sure testimonies and holiness for ever.
For reflection
The floods lift up their voice three times before the psalm answers with a single comparison. Why might the poem let the noise build that long before saying the Lord is mightier?