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The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 93 is a known as a corporate worship hymn that is an enthronement psalm. The psalm was sung in ancient Jewish worship at some point before the trumpet would sound signaling the beginning of the Sabbath around 6:00 pm each Friday, according to the Talmud. The only name for God in this hymn is Yahweh. This psalm praises Yahweh as king over the earth, the seas, and Jerusalem. VanGemeren’s outline of the psalm is as good as it gets.
A. Yahweh’s glorious kingship (vs. 1a–1b)
B. Yahweh’s kingship on earth (vs. 1c–2)
B`. Yahweh’s kingship over the seas (vs. 3–4)
A`. Yahweh’s glorious kingship in Jerusalem (vs. 5)
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I. Yahweh’s (the LORD’s) glorious kingship (vs. 1a–1b)
A. Praising the only sovereign God, Yahweh, king of the universe (Isa 52:7)
B. None of the false gods are sovereign, they are merely demons
C. The LORD’s majestic creation and providential control are displayed openly to all who
have eyes that see and ears that hear
D. Yahweh is king, no matter what His enemies say
II. Yahweh’s kingship on earth (vs. 1c–2)
A. The LORD established the earth during the creation week
B. The word “throne” is figurative for the sovereign rule of God, which began over the earth at creation, but will not have an ending, but will intensify at the 2nd coming
C. Calvin reminds us that if we really believed God was in charge and powerful than nothing could cause us to fear if we were living in obedience to God
D. The destruction of the world is not in man’s hands
III. Yahweh’s kingship over the seas (vs. 3–4)
A. The seas, floods, rivers, currents are all powerful forces of water
B. For those on the sea or coastline, a tidal wave carries uncontrollable destruction
C. A hurricane or monsoon brings noise and destruction
D. Uncontrollable waters are also used figurative for pagan armies
E. Yahweh is above, over, and in control of ever flood, river, sea, and army
F. Our God is mightier than any storm, than any tidal wave (Ps 29:4)
G. Both Jonah and the Apostles learned by experience that Yahweh controls the sea
Eternal Father, Strong to save, O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who bid'st the mighty Ocean deep Who walked'st on the foaming deep,
Its own appointed limits keep; and calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
O hear us when we cry to thee, Oh hear us when we cry to Thee
for those in peril on the sea. For those in peril on the sea!
Most Holy spirit! Who didst brood O Trinity of love and power!
Upon the chaos dark and rude, Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
And bid its angry tumult cease, From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
And give, for wild confusion, peace; Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea! Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
IV. Yahweh’s glorious kingship in Jerusalem (vs. 5)
A. The LORD is king over the covenant community
B. The term “testimony” is often used for the Ten Commandments
C. God’s moral laws stand firm against a world of sin and relativism
D. God’s commands, warnings, promises, oaths and statements in the Bible are all true, fully confirmed by this sovereign Lord
E. Where the special presence of God is, men are keenly aware of His holiness
F. The glorious light above the mercy seat, the fire above the 12 apostles' heads, the wings covering the angels faces crying holy, holy, holy
Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (Heb 12:28-29 ESV)
Lessons to live by:
• Since God is sovereign, worry and praylessness are both sins. When in danger, call out to God by prayer in faith. He is mightier than the danger
• The Creator is in charge of His world and limits what even men can do
• Don’t let the latest doomsday theory make you afraid. Man cannot destroy the earth nor can any other created being
• If God’s house is adorned by holiness, we should take our personal holiness seriously, once we have received Christ’s transferred righteousness to our legal record in heaven
If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you all together are that temple. (1Cor 3:17)
• Because God is king over His covenant people, we should ask, will this choice please king Jesus, Lord and Head of the church, or will this choice just please me?
• If we love this great and sovereign King, we will live properly before His royal presence with great reverence and joy, as His commands are not a burden
• Praise God for who He is, including His sovereignty, self-existence, awesome power, eternal existence, infinity, providence, and holiness
• “May the Lord appear in his church, in our day, in manifest majesty and might, saving sinners, slaying errors, and honoring his own name.” Charles Spurgeon
