Psalm 93

by Becky

LINK: Psalm 93

BACKGROUND

This short psalm is packed with joy because it is focused on the character of God: His kingship, His sovereignty, His power and strength, His trustworthiness, and His holiness. We don’t know when the psalm was written or who wrote it. It is thought that it was sung by God’s people when all around them seemed to be in chaos, perhaps when being invaded and taken into captivity.

The poem begins with a description of God’s majesty and power (vv. 1-2). Unlike the gods of the nations around the Israelites, Jehovah is everlasting. He is mighty: His power is evidenced not only in His creation of the world (He established it), but also in His continually sustaining it .

The next two verses focus on the image of floods or mighty waters. Those floods are personified as powerful enemies, with strong voices that overwhelm and threaten to sweep everything in their path away. What a powerful image for events and forces in this life that are beyond our control!

I live in Louisiana and have seen from a front row seat the power of floods. When Hurricane Katrina ravaged much of our state, when Gustav swept in – it became clear just how little control we humans have. Civilization is a thin veneer. Think about what happened when the Asian Tsunami hit in December of 2004.. It destroyed whatever was in its path – a huge demonstration of power and might.

So floods – mighty waters – are a very fitting image for those chaotic events and forces that we have no power to control.

But as mighty as the waters of a flood are – no matter how noisy and chaotic events in our lives might seem – we have a God who is mightier. “The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea.” (v 4)

The psalm’s last verse returns to the theme of the uniqueness of our God. What He says is sure and true. It is a firm foundation. We can be certain of God’s truth and holiness. He doesn’t change. He is trustworthy forever.

All about us may be swept away as in a flood, but we cling to the rock that is our God.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

What is joy? I think this psalm explains it. Joy doesn’t depend on the circumstances we find ourselves in. It’s not happiness. Joy springs from our trust in the eternal, mighty, holy, truthful God we serve. He is sovereign King. Nothing can touch us unless He allows it.

I don’t know what flood threatens to overwhelm you. Whatever it is that you feel you have no control over, remember this: God is mightier. Actually, I think it’s good for us to be hit with circumstances that force us to see our frailty and weakness. It’s easy to think that we are in control, that we are strong. Those “floods” make us realize that we truly can be swept away very easily by forces we have no control over. The only one able to hold us up, to give us stability, is our Lord.

So call on Him. Trust Him. Just do it.

PRAYER

Help us to cling to You, Lord, when we find ourselves overwhelmed by a flood of circumstances. Bring this psalm to mind so that we can have joy in the midst of what seems like chaos. We praise You for being our everlasting, mighty, truthful, holy King.