Psalm 93

In the final years of David’s reign there were cries for Absalom, “Long live the king!” (2 Sam. 16:16) but his reign and life ended suddenly.  A rebel named Sheba gained a following, only to have his head handed to Joab (2 Sam. 20:1,22).  David’s son Adonijah sought to take the kingdom to the cries of “Long live king Adonijah” (1 Kings 1:25).  But by the end of the day his reign had ended and he soon lost his life.  Bathsheba said to David, “Let my lord King David live forever,” yet his personal reign would come to an end shortly.  Solomon was acclaimed by the same cry, “Long live King Solomon” (1 Ki. 1:39).  His long and prosperous rule faded spiritually towards the end and resulted in a divided kingdom.  Political uncertainty afflicted Israel during Old Testament times even as it does in today’s world.

How unlike all of that is the acclaim of this Psalm.  The Lord reigns! 

·        He is clothed with majesty (v1).  Not with the accoutrements of majesty but with majesty itself.  His reign is the definition of majesty!  The pomp and ceremony of today’s leaders is ultimately a public relations campaign.  With the Lord majesty is substance!  His splendor radiates from His very being.

·        He is clothed with strength, girded about so He is always on the ready (v1).  That is why the saints are not among those who trust in chariots and horses but we will remember the name of the Lord our God (Ps. 20:7). 

·        In the Kingdom where the Lord reigns the world is firmly established (v1).  This speaks of the earth, the planet created by God for the good of its inhabitants.  The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein (Ps. 24:1).  By His sovereign wisdom and might He has established the earth; it cannot be moved.  The earth does not disrupt the Kingdom where God reigns but it fulfills His purposes.

·        The reign of the Lord is not something new but is from of old (v2).  There are none of the defeats or difficulties or death such as brought to an end one kingdom of men after another.  His throne is established because He Himself is from everlasting.  The Lord has always reigned; and thus even the earthly reign of the Lord (the Messianic Millennium) is a sure thing. 

·        The certainty of the Lord’s reign on earth is emphasized in v3-4.  There have been and will yet be great floods against the Lord and His reign but none will prevail because the Lord on high is mightier than any of those waves of evil.  Consider particularly a Satanic flood that will be launched against God’s saved Nation in Rev. 12:13-17.  God always protects His people.  And why?

·        Because His testimonies (precepts and promises) are very sure; and because holiness adorns His house (everything about His Kingdom will be uniquely perfect).  Such is the reign of the Lord.  The Lord reigns!

Bow in worship of the Sovereign Lord!  Recognize your citizenship in that Kingdom (Phil. 3:21).  In His reign nothing is uncertain.