INTRODUCTION
Psalms 93 is one of a group of psalms (47, 93-99) often referred to as ‘The Enthronement Psalms.’ These songs of praise have as their theme the universal kingship of God. They celebrate the rule of YHWH over Israel, nature and the whole world. The theme of Psalm 93 is YHWH as king, not of Israel, but of all creation. The psalm is not cited in the New Testament. The composer of Psalm 93 and its date of writing are unknown.
In the Hebrew Masoretic text (and therefore in the KJV) Psalm 93 has no title but the LXX (Greek Septuagint translation used by the early church) has For the day before the Sabbath, when the land was [first] inhabited, the praise of a Song by David (it is Psalm 92 in the LXX).
1 – THE GLORY OF GOD’S REIGN
2-3 – THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD’S REIGN
4 – THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD’S REIGN
5 – THE HOLINESS OF GOD’S REIGN
EXPLANATION
THE GLORY OF GOD’S REIGN (1)
The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved.
Psalm 93 begins with the words YHWH malak, with the subject (YHWH) preceding the verb (malak) thus emphasising YHWH (the Lord). The word malak is a verb – ‘the Lord kings’ – and is difficult to translate since the English language does not have a verb ‘to king.’ It is usually rendered something like reigns, is king. Firth (2025, p. 53) identifies three possible translations:
- ‘YHWH is king’, thus interpreting the verb malak as indicating a status held by YHWH.
- ‘YHWH has become king’, thus interpreting the verb malak as representing the specific point at which YHWH became king.
- ‘YHWH reigns’, thus interpreting the verb malak as enduring.
He further comments: ‘Yet none of them is perhaps complete because there is a flexibility to the Hebrew at this point that does not easily map on to English, and each only partially recognises the wider theological claim of Psalms.’ The translation ‘has become king,’ for example, does not not suggest the Lord has not always been king. The KJV The LORD reigneth indicates that YHWH rules, this is an unchanging condition. Psa 47:8 has God reigneth, here we have the first occurrence in Psalms of The Lord reigneth (note, Psalm 29:10 the Lord sitteth king is a different expression).
The psalmist views the Lord as dressed in royal robes of majesty, the glory of this attire displaying his superiority. This is emphasised by the repetition of is clothed, the second occurrence mentioning his strength, suggesting that he is dressed and ready for battle. In fact, he has dressed himself in order to display his strength and power to subdue everything. That he has already ordered the world and holds it firmly in place is evidence of the Lord’s majesty and strength. His rule is stable and unshakeable. Verse 1, like verse 4, is about the Lord, now vv.2-3, like v.5, are directly addressed to the Lord.
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD’S REIGN (2-3)
Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
In v.1 the earth is established, now in v.2, directly addressing the Lord, the psalmist says that the Lord’s throne (the symbol of his kingship) is also established (same word as v.1). The difference is that the earth, although in existence for a very long time, is young compared to the Lord, for he has been king eternally. He is from everlasting, he has always been king and always will be. His period of supreme rule has no beginning and no end. Verse 2 contains two of the three terms meaning forever used in the psalm – of old and from everlasting. The third, forever, is at the end of v.5.
The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
Using incremental repetition the psalmist says that the rivers and the seas – the chaotic forces of nature – raise their voices in complaint and opposition to the Lord. He has already subdued them (Gen 1:9-10; Job 38:8-11; Isa 27:1; 51:9-10). The world is noisy and rages against God’s rule.
THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD’S REIGN (4)
The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
Verse 4, like verse 1, is directly addressed to the Lord. He is more majestic than all the powerful, noisy, threatening forces of nature and the seemingly uncontrollable chaos (symbolising the Lord’s enemies) that would rise up against him. The noisy sea with its mighty breakers represents the nations, often viewed as the enemies of the Lord and his people (Isa 8:7; 17:12-13; Jer 46:7-8). YHWH is not a mere local deity but is the supreme ruler of the world.
THE HOLINESS OF GOD’S REIGN (5)
Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, forever.
Verse 5, like vv.2-3, is directly addressed to the Lord. Just as YHWH’s reign over nature and the hostile forces of chaos is stable so the King’s relationship with his earthly subjects is sure. In fact, he has given them very trustworthy decrees or commandments that enable them to lead ordered and stable lives. He has also given them a temple, his dwelling place characterised by holiness, which will continue while time shall last (‘for length of days’ cf. Psa 23:6). YHWH is with his people both in word and in sanctuary.
SUMMATION
Psalm 93 is a short hymn that celebrates YHWH’s reign over all creation. Despite all that would rise in opposition to him, symbolised by the tumultuous forces of nature, YHWH is majestic and powerful and remains eternally supreme. Amidst the chaos of life the believer can be confident that God is ultimately in control. We can therefore live our lives in accordance with his trustworthy commands, maintaining an attitude of trust and holiness.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOOKS
Alter, R. (2009). The Book of Psalms: a Translation with Commentary. W.W. Norton New York
Brueggemann, W. and Bellinger, Jr. W. H. (2014). Psalms. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Declaissé-Walford, N. L., Jacobson, R.A. and Tanner, B. L. (2014). The Book of Psalms. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids
Kriegshauser, L. (2009). Praying the Psalms in Christ. University of Notre Dame Press
Notre Dame, Indiana
Miller, P. D., Strawn, B.A. and Bowen, N.R. (2003). A God so Near: Essays on Old Testament Theology in Honor of Patrick D. Miller. Eisenbrauns. Winona Lake
Ross, A.P. (2014). A Commentary on the Psalms. Kregel Academic, Grand Rapids
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Dickie, J. (2017). A Literary-rhetorical Analysis of Psalm 93 for Translation and Performance in isiZulu. Old Testament Essays, Vol. 30, No.1
Firth, D. G. (2025). God’s Reign in the Psalms and the Kingdom of God. Tyndale Bulletin, 76. pp. 47-67
Gillmayr-Bucher, S. (2019). ‘The Rivers Have Lifted up their Voice’: Imagining the Mighty Waters in Psalm 93. Old Testament Essays, Vol.32, No.2, pp. 378–397
Jefferson, H. G. (1952). Psalm 93. Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol.71, No.3, p. 155
Shenkel, J. D. (1965), An Interpretation of Psalm 93,5. Biblica, Vol. 46, No. 4, pp. 401-416
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
The Septuagint Old Testament in English and Greek. (2026). PSALMS / ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 92 [online] Available at: https://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/septuagint/chapter.asp?book=24&page=92 [Accessed 6 Apr. 2026]
Written Exposition 