Psalm 93

Our Lord Is King

1 YHWH reigns!
He is clothed with majesty!
YHWH is armed with strength.
The world also is established.
It can't be moved.
2 Your throne is established from long ago.
You are from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, YHWH,
the floods have lifted up their voice.
The floods lift up their waves.
4 Above the voices of many waters,
the mighty breakers of the sea,
YHWH on high is mighty.
5 Your statutes stand firm.
Holiness adorns your house,
YHWH, forevermore.

World English Bible

When does your faith seem the strongest? When do you definitely feel the presence of God?

From time to time, we all have the "mountain top" experience, that emotional high that assures us that God is truly present. In those rare moments, praise becomes fact. We realize all the platitudes we heap upon our Maker have some basis in reality. The power and glory of God are palpable.

These times remind us that praise is not only expressed in exclamation, but in a statement of fact. Psalm 93 was such a statement. It painted the rule and power of God in overarching terms. He was all-powerful in ability and presence.

The psalm was written in a quasi "A-B-A" structure. Verses 1-2 and verses 5-6 ("A" parts) expressed the unwavering power of God. His power and reign could not be moved; its results in creation (93:1b) and the Law/monarch (93:5) were also solid. The most powerful force in nature (the "B" section found in 93:3-4: the flood) could not overtake the power of God.

Many scholars believe this triumphal hymn was written in the glory times of the monarchy before the Babylonian Exile. The tone of the psalm described the presence of God in royal terms; he was King and he was "clothed" in power and reputation befitting the Lord of all. His decisions would stand firm, both in creation and in Law. Those of his "house" (i.e., the house of David) would rule with him forever. Even the primordial forces could not defeat him. Notice the lack of uncertainty and melancholy that marked the writings from the time of the Exile onward.

When praise becomes fact, we see our Creator and his creation in a different light. He is with us and our daily grind can be put into context. He is the King who blesses us with every gift imaginable. In fact, our lives become pure blessing. These are the times we experience God's power and his glorious rule over us.

How is your life a pure blessing? How does that thought turn your praise into fact?