Bible Commentaries
Psalms 93

Introduction

A.M. 2959. B.C. 1045.

This Psalm has no title in the Hebrew, but is supposed to have been written by David, to whom it is attributed by the LXX., and most of the ancient versions. It contains a declaration of God’s sovereign and universal dominion, in and over the whole world. Which is here set forth, partly for the comfort of God’s church and people against all the assaults of their numerous and potent adversaries, and partly to give an intimation and assurance of the accomplishment of that great promise, that the kingdom of Christ should not be confined to the Israelites, but be extended to all the nations of the earth. This Psalm was used by the Jews in their public worship, on the day before the sabbath; and by their interpretation, it and the six following Psalms are to be understood, in their sublimest sense, of the times of the Messiah. In this is set forth the glory of God’s kingdom, both of providence and grace, Psalms 93:1-5 .

Verse 1

Psalms 93:1. The Lord reigneth He is the king and governor, not only of Israel, but of the whole world, as the last clause of the verse expounds it; and accordingly he will, in his due time, set up his empire over all nations, in the hands of his Son the Messiah. It was the psalmist’s glory and confidence that, though the nations boasted of the power and splendour of their kings, and trusted to their military preparations, yet the Lord, the great Jehovah, the God of Israel, still reigned. He is clothed with majesty, &c. As kings are with their royal ornaments, and is girded with almighty strength, as warriors are with the sword: that majesty and strength, which he always had in himself, he now hath, and will shortly much more show forth in the eyes of all people. The world also is established that it cannot be moved The effect of God’s government of the world shall be this, that he will order and overrule all the confusions, and divisions, and hostilities in it, so as they shall end in an orderly, peaceable, and happy settlement, and in the erection of that kingdom of the Messiah which can never be moved.

Verses 2-4

Psalms 93:2-4. Thy throne is established of old, &c. This kingdom of thine is no new or upstart kingdom; as it may seem to the ignorant world, but the most ancient of all kingdoms, being from everlasting to everlasting, although it was not always equally manifested to mankind. The floods

The enemies of thy kingdom, who are often compared to floods for their numbers, force, rage, &c., have lifted up their waves Have both, by their words and actions, made opposition against it. The Lord on high is mightier than many waters, &c. The King of heaven is too strong for all earthly potentates, and will subdue them under his feet.

Verse 5

Psalms 93:5. Thy testimonies Thy words: either, 1st, Thy precepts, which are commonly called God’s testimonies. And so, having spoken of God’s kingdom, he now showeth that the laws of that kingdom are just, and true, and holy, which is a singular commendation of it. Or, rather, 2d, Thy promises, as may be gathered from the following words, are sure, or true, or faithful; which attribute properly belongs, and everywhere in Scripture is ascribed to, promises rather than to precepts. And the promises, no less than the precepts, are God’s testimonies, or the witnesses or declarations of his mind and will to mankind. And he seems here to speak of those great and precious promises concerning the erection and establishment of his kingdom in the world by the Messiah. Which promises, saith he, are infallibly true, and shall certainly be accomplished in thy time. Holiness becometh thy house This is to be understood, either, 1st, Of God’s church or people, who are sometimes called his house, and whose business and delight are in God’s house and in his service there performed. So the sense is, It becometh thy people to be holy in all their approaches to thee, and worshipping of thee. Or, rather, 2d, Of God himself, who dwelt in his house, from whence he gave forth his oracles, and where all his testimonies were kept upon record. And so the sense is, Holiness is the constant ornament and glory of thy house. Or, it becometh thee, who dwellest in thy house, to be holy in all thy words and actions, and therefore thy testimonies are very sure, and thou wilt undoubtedly fulfil all thy promises, for “thou canst as soon renounce thy holiness as thy faithfulness in performing them.”