Thoughts for the Day

The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength.
He has established the world; it shall never be moved;
  your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting.

The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.
More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
more majestic than the waves of the sea,
majestic on high is the Lord!

Your decrees are very sure;
holiness befits your house,
O Lord, for evermore.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

This short psalm has no title but is a statement about God's power and might. Depending on the version of the Bible we use God's names are 'Yahweh', 'Jehovah', 'King', or 'Lord' - He is the one and only Almighty God, and He reigns supreme. Psalm 93 is the first of a group of psalms to God as King, which includes Psalm 100 (that we know as The Jubilate).

The opening words "The Lord is King!" sound more like an acclamation and may remind us of the words found in Isaiah when a messenger comes to announce peace. We frequently read these words in Advent:

'How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’

Psalm 93 points to a day in the future when the King will come in power to our world - He will appear in full magnificence ('robed in majesty'), armed for battle ('girded with strength'), and His grandeur will outstrip all that the earth possesses ('the thunder of mighty waters'). The only thing that is certain is the authority of His 'decrees', ie God's laws.

The psalm teaches us ultimately that God reigns, has reigned, and will reign for ever, no matter what happens in our world. Whatever challenges we face, no matter how hard, we should be comforted, for God is in control, and all will occur for good in the end in His world. We are simply called to worship Him.

Lord God,
when we feel alone and lost,
when the challenges and dangers
seem overwhelming,
may we remember that You are King
over all Your world;
that You are in control
of all that happens;
and will bring to fruition
all Your plans for good, in due course.
Amen.