Psalm 93
1 The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.
2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
4 The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.
Outline
God Is The King of the Universe
Psalm 93
God’s Reign is fit for the Most High, Psalm 93:1a
God’s Clothing is fit for the Most High, Psalm 93:1c
God’s Kingdom is fit for the Most High, Psalm 92:1d
God’s Throne is fit for the Most High, Psalm 93:2
God’s Power is fit for the Most High, Psalm 93:3-4
God’s Memorials are fit for the Most High, Psalm 93:5a
God’s Palace is fit for the Most High, Psalm 93:5b
Photo
Burney Falls around 1980
Sermon
God Is the King of the Universe
by Pastor Clinton Macomber
Psalm 93
This Psalm has no title, no author, and is very short. An author would be inappropriate because this is about the seven reasons God is fit to rule and reign over the universe. Any kind of a title would be a distraction of the glory of this message.
God’s Reign is fit for the Most High
Psalm 93:1a The LORD reigneth,
This is just two words in the original Hebrew—“God Rules.” There is so much that should be said about these two simple words. These words hold the key to the peace of God in our hearts. They are the means by which we can have a love that is beneficial to others. It is the reason we can have joy in the most trying of circumstances. As the Psalm goes on and says, the waves of this world may seem mighty and overpowering to us, but they are nothing to God, who has them under His authority and power.
The word “Yahweh” is the alliteration of “I am that I am” that Moses was told to use when he went to Egypt to rally support for the Israelites to leave Egypt to worship God. It was the name he was to use. There is nothing that can compare to God, since all things come from God, and subsist from God.
The next word is so simple—“Reigns.” This could also be translated, “God is King,” or “King God.”
Those that declare that God reigns have spiritually beautiful feet.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
God took the time and effort to bring one of the greatest monarchs in History to his knees before Him.
Daniel 4:32-34 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. 34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
Part of the prayer we are to pray to God includes declaring His reign.
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
God has declared that Jesus Christ will reign.
Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
In Heaven all present will resound with a joyful and united voice that Jesus reigns.
Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
God’s Clothing is fit for the Most High
Psalm 93:1b The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself:
Now how should the King of the Universe be clothed? He is clothed with Majesty. See the “Bible Says It” segment for more information. There is only one person in all of creation that can actually walk and speak from the point of knowing all things and being able to do all things. Even though mankind is created in the image of God, mankind does not have the power or knowledge to do much at all. To walk and talk as if we were, is purely egotistical pride. God hates such an attitude because it is not one of learning, which is so vital for our placement for eternal jobs.
God challenged Job to prove his power and glory by showing majesty:
Job 40:10 Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. 11Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. 12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. 13Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret. 14Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
We read more of His garments and their purpose:
Isaiah 59:17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. 18According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. 19So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
It is further explained:
Isaiah 63:1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
God’s Kingdom is fit for the Most High
Psalm 93:1c …the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.
A King is nothing when there is no kingdom. They talk about the father being the king in his family, and his palace is his home, but frankly, that is a very small kingdom. All kingdoms to date have been regional, based on some land category. The emperors all wanted to rule the world, and many have tried to do just that. Today, although there are lots of kings and kingdoms, presidents and countries, there is a huge effort to unite all countries under one ruler. The Moslems are presently doing all they can to bring their dream of world dominion to pass, and our country is trying to take a limited stand against it, hoping to limit it to a peaceful reign, ignoring the built in brutality, anti-Christian, anti-Jewish, and anti-Americanism that goes with Islamic rule.
God has established the earth forever. The whole universe is established forever. It is the Kingdom of God.
Psalm 104:5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
Psalm 148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 6He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
Ecclesiastes 1:4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
God’s Throne is fit for the Most High
Psalm 93:2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
Furthermore, the earth is the footstool of God.
Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
Where “important” people sit is often very pathetic. Humans make a great deal about some president or king having walked on some hall or sat in some seat. Corporate, political, and entertainment “power” is often signified by the lavishness of the chair upon which business is conducted. The lower the position, the more rudimentary it is, and even lower, there is no chair at all. All in all, no matter how grand the chair may be, it is nothing when compared with that of God’s throne. Heaven is His throne! There is no way anyone could build a throne that has any comparison with the glory of God’s Throne, because all things come from Him. Solomon’s throne was incredible, but it was nothing compared to God, and has been lost, long ago.
1 Kings 10:18 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold. 19The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. 20And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
Of Persian throne we read:
Of the king’s dress, I could perceive that the color was scarlet, but to ascertain exactly the materials would have been difficult, from the profusion of large pearls that covered it in various places, and the multiplicity of jewels that sparkled all around, for the golden throne seemed studded at the sides with precious stones of every possible tint, and the back resembled a sun of glory, of which the radiation was imitated by diamonds, garnets, emeralds, and rubies. Of such, also, was chiefly composed the monarch’s ample and most splendid crown, and the two figures of birds that ornamented the throne, one perched on each of its beautifully enameled shoulders.--John Kitto. The Court of Persia. Redding California: Pleasant Places Press, 2007, p. 143-144.
God’s Power is fit for the Most High
Psalm 93:3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. 4The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
If we were to choose one person who has power to control every aspect of the universe, there is only one candidate. It is God Himself. If we were to choose one person who can read the thoughts and motives of a person, it is God alone. If we were to pick one person who was always holy and pure in all He does, it would be God alone. There are no other candidates.
Sure the devils of this world try to impress us to follow them, but their ability is all a lie. The magicians of the world try to wow us with their skill, but they have no power to control, only power to manipulate perceptions.
God’s Memorials are fit for the Most High
Psalm 93:5 Thy testimonies are very sure:
Testimonies are the monuments that are raised to remind those involved of the agreements that were reached. Examples are as follows:
Genesis 21:30. Abraham gave seven lambs that were segregated from the flock to Abimelech as Living Testimony that Abraham digged the well. Abimelech’s acceptance of them indicated he agreed and would not forget.
Genesis 31:52. Jacob raised an heap of stones and a pillar to act as a reminder of the agreement made, that neither Laban nor himself would cross the boundary line to harm the other.
Joshua 24:27. Joshua had a huge stone that had heard Israel’s promise set up under an oak tree to act as a memorial testimony that the nation of Israel was going to serve God.
God’s Palace is fit for the Most High
Psalm 93:5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.
Holiness is a separate place and condition from that which is ordinary, common and unclean. It is a place where sin is not allowed, nor accepted. It is a place where everyone has been separated by a commitment to only do what God would have us to do. Because of this, there are several places in Scripture that make it clear that the New Jerusalem is guarded and only authorized individuals may enter.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
There is also another aspect to the House of the Lord Jesus, and that is the fact that we are called His house in the New Testament, and our lives here on earth are designed to purify us to the place where we are fit to make up His Holy House.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Topic Study
God’s Majesty in Scripture
by Pastor Clinton Macomber
Speaking without the traits of majesty is pride in man.
Psalm 17:10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
Movement without the traits of majesty is a raging.
Psalm 89:9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
God is clothed in majesty.
Psalm 93:1 The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.
Human majesty raises up like smoke.
Isaiah 9:18 For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
God’s majesty is in doing excellent things.
Isaiah 12:5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
God’s majesty is ignored by wicked people.
Isaiah 26:10 Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.
Drunkards wear crowns of pride, and there is not majesty in them.
Isaiah 28:1 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!
Drunkards with crowns of pride will be trodden under foot.
Isaiah 28:3 The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:
In History
by Pastor Clinton Macomber
The Scottish Covenanters gathered and sang Psalm 93 with such heavenly harmony that all who heard them stood motionless until they finished. This was the signal that their cause would triumph. It was also the sign that their conventicles would be popular.
These Covenanters were Presbyterians who united and signed a National Covenant on Feb. 28, 1638, to sustain each other in the defence of their faith. King Charles I and William Laud tried to force Episcopalianism on them. There was a huge list of those that signed, and they were able to resist the King’s armies in what has become known as the Bishop’s Wars of 1639-1640). In the English Civil War, the Covenanters became allies to the British Parliament after they signed an agreement in 1643 which would establish a Presbyterian State Church in England, Ireland and Scotland. This was called the Solemn League and Covenant. However after the first Civil War the those who gained control prevented this Covenant from being honored. So they concluded an agreement with Charles I known as the Engagement, and so fought for him in the Second Civil War of 1648. However Charles I was executed in 1649, so his son, Charles II, agreed to honor it, and they fought for him. Oliver Cromwell however subdued them in 1650-1651. Strife and uncertainty continued until 1688. Over 18,000 of them suffered death or other harsh penalties for their statement of faith. This period was also a time when these members drew close to God and there was a remarkable revival among the Scottish, while the church members suffered so dearly. In 1688, the Glorious Revolution restored the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.
The Conventicles were formed when pastors would be forced to abandon the church buildings and would hold services on a hillside. While the King would try to break these up and stop them, their were rarely enough soldiers to do an adequate job, and the services became very large and popular.
One of the great leaders of the Covenanters was Richard Cameron. He was killed and his head and hands were cut off and taken to Edinburgh where his father was being held in prison. To add to his father’s grief, they brought them to his father and asked if he could recognize them. The father took his son’s head and hands, kissed them and said, “I know them—I know them. They are my son’s—my own dear son’s. It is the Lord. Good is the will of the Lord, who cannot wrong me or mine, but hath made goodness and mercy to follow us all our days.” What faith and determination!
Sources:
The Gospel of Matthew ed. William Barclay. The Daily study Bible series, Rev. ed. (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 2000, c1975). p. 213.
F. L. Cross and Elizabeth A. Livingstone, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2005). p. 429.
Paul Lagass and Columbia University, The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. (New York; Detroit: Columbia University Press; Sold and distributed by Gale Group, 2000). “Covenanters.”
W. Graham Scroggie. The Psalms. (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1965). Vol. 2. p. 264.
Dean R. Smith. “The Scottish Presbyterians and Covenanters: A Continuationist Experience in a Cessationist Theology.” Westminster Theological Journal (Westminster Theological Seminary, 2001; Galaxie Software, 2003). Vol. 63. Num. 41.
Quote
Psalm 93:3
The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice.
How often a man says these words over to himself as he paces the deck of the steamer in mid-Atlantic! There is no commentary to this psalm like that supplied by the break of the waves. Sometimes the voice of the floods is deafening; you cannot hear yourself speak; at other times all night, through the port-hole, you hear their musical break beneath. The lifted up voice of the sea gives many notes in the great organ of nature, sometimes the deep bass, at other times the silvery treble. One says to one’s self—
“What are the wild waves saying?”
They may be inciting one another to a work of destruction and devastation, roaring in their rage, fretting for supremacy. Why should they endure the presence of man in their wild waste? He is an intruder. The sea-gulls are welcome; they are at home as in their native element, but man has no right.
So do the waves of trouble roar wildly around the bark of our life. There are times when surgeon surge rolls in upon the soul, and breaks with boom and roar; but always there floats upon the soul the refrain of this sublime canticle, “Above the voices of many waters the Lord on high is mighty.” He sits as King, higher than the spray is tossed, deeper than the fathomless depths, mightier than the strongest billow. Let Him but say, “Peace, be still”! and the greatest storm that ever swept the waves with wild fury sinks into the tranquil sleep of childhood. Or, if we sink beneath the wave, we shall but fall into the hollow of God’s hand, where the oceans are cradled.
Frederick Brotherton Meyer, Our Daily Homily (Redding, CA: Pleasant Places Press, 2004; 2004). Vol. 3 page 93.
Devotions
Monday, Psalm 93:1 and 1 Corinthians 11:1-6
Human beings are imitators. We imitate both what we like and unknowingly what we hate. The result is that we are just another bad copy of what is already causing trouble in the world. This built-in ability and desire to imitate must be directed to those who live a holy life and in particular to Christ. Christ did not come to this earth as a king or anyone special. He did the work of God and suffered a great deal. We need to learn to abide by the law and order of God in the same way.
Tuesday, Psalm 93:1 and 1 Corinthians 11:7-11
How was our Lord and Savior clothed when He walked this earth? How did He conduct himself? We know that He fulfilled all the law and instruction of God, and demonstrated it could be done through holy living. If we go to Scripture to determine our style of dress and conduct, we will not be constantly trying to keep up with a constantly changing and downwardly spiraling opinion on dress. Instead it will be simple, healthy, modest, comfortable, consistent and functional.
Wednesday, Psalm 93:2 and 1 Corinthians 11:12-17
People are constantly trying to turn the instruction of God into the Laws of God. Instructions are for the benefit of the doer, and of great value. However, they do not bring salvation from the penalty of sin. God never changes, nor does the road that a child of God must travel. So instead of putting the instructions and good habits of a mature child of God up front, the message is the simple but powerful news of salvation through Jesus Christ. After that comes a road of discipleship that is life-long.
Thursday, Psalm 93:3 and 1 Corinthians 11:18-22
It is far to easy to turn church meetings into social gatherings and feasts. This is something that happens in a person’s home, and is not to be mixed into church services. Church services are to worship God in singing hymns and in listening to the Word of God and the declaration of spiritual teaching. Replacing or adding to the worship service dilutes the quality and purpose of the time spent together and some are viciously hurt, while others carry on and inappropriately dominate.
Friday, Psalm 93:4 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-28
God is higher and mightier than the massive waves of the ocean. He is not someone to ignore or anger. He asks that we quietly and reverently partake of His table of communion. If this is done inappropriately it is very dangerous.
Saturday, Psalm 93:5 and 1 Corinthians 11:29-34
The church services and our homes should be models of God’s House. They should be reverent and places of testimony and devotion. There are things that are to be done at home that are not done in a church setting, like meals! In order to grow, we are expected to learn all we can from God and imitate His Son.
Puzzle
| D | U | U | D | G | R | U | T | S | G | V | T | N | H |
| H | B | M | S | E | I | E | Y | V | U | E | T | A | T |
| T | F | O | D | N | H | R | I | T | S | R | B | C | O |
| E | L | V | O | O | H | S | D | T | S | F | E | T | N |
| N | E | E | O | I | G | T | I | E | H | E | F | L | N |
| G | S | D | L | S | S | M | I | L | D | G | J | F | A |
| I | M | Y | F | E | O | E | L | W | B | T | I | A | C |
| E | I | M | A | N | Y | N | V | I | E | A | D | M | M |
| R | H | J | I | N | A | H | T | A | F | R | T | O | O |
| B | C | E | F | B | A | B | F | S | W | T | E | S | I |
| Y | S | J | J | H | O | L | I | N | E | S | S | H | U |
| R | C | D | E | H | S | I | L | B | A | T | S | E | W |
| E | M | C | L | O | T | H | E | D | V | M | Y | U | N |
| V | J | W | H | T | E | M | O | C | E | B | F | L | B |
| BECOMETH | LIFT | SURE |
| CANNOT | MAJESTY | TESTIMONIES |
| CLOTHED | MANY | THAN |
| ESTABLISHED | MIGHTIER | VERY |
| FLOODS | MOVED | WAVES |
| GIRDED | NOISE | WHEREWITH |
| HIMSELF | REIGNETH | |
| HOLINESS | STABLISHED |
