The Bible — World English Bible

Psalm 93

In brief

Psalm 93 proclaims that the LORD reigns, robed in majesty and strength, and that his throne has been established from of old. The floods lift up their voice, an image of the powers that roar, but God is mightier than the thunder of many waters. The psalm ends on the reliability of his word and the holiness of his house. People turn to it when everything seems to be collapsing.

The chapter in 3 parts

  1. v. 1-2The LORD has reigned from of old
  2. v. 3-4Mightier than the roar of many waters
  3. v. 5A trustworthy word and a holy house

1Yahweh reigns! He is clothed with majesty! Yahweh is armed with strength. The world also is established. It can’t be moved.

2Your throne is established from long ago. You are from everlasting.

3The floods have lifted up, Yahweh, the floods have lifted up their voice. The floods lift up their waves.

4Above the voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea, Yahweh on high is mighty.

5Your statutes stand firm. Holiness adorns your house, Yahweh, forever more.

Key verses

Verse 1
Yahweh reigns! He is clothed with majesty! Yahweh is armed with strength. The world also is established. It can’t be moved.

The psalm states its central claim: God reigns, clothed in majesty and strength. Because he reigns, the world does not give way.

Verse 2
Your throne is established from long ago. You are from everlasting.

God's throne has no beginning. What was established long ago cannot be overturned by the events of the moment.

Verse 3-4
The floods have lifted up, Yahweh, the floods have lifted up their voice. The floods lift up their waves. Above the voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea, Yahweh on high is mighty.

The roaring floods stand for everything that threatens and makes noise. The psalmist does not deny their power, he declares that God's power surpasses it.

Verse 5
Your statutes stand firm. Holiness adorns your house, Yahweh, forever more.

God's testimonies are sure: you can lean on his word. Holiness suits his house for all the length of time.

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What the sermons say

God's Throne: Your Refuge When Everything Falls ApartThe sermon cites Psalm 93 alongside Job's cry to reach God's throne. It finds there an eternal throne that serves as a refuge when everything collapses.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Psalm 93

What does Psalm 93 mean?

Psalm 93 affirms that the LORD is king, from all eternity, and that his power exceeds that of the forces that threaten. The rivers and floods symbolize trials and the powers of the world. The message is simple: God's throne is stable, so those who rest on it are not swept away. It is a psalm of trust, not a promise that difficulties will never come.

Who wrote Psalm 93?

The text gives no author and no specific circumstance: it has no title in Hebrew. In the ancient Greek version, it carries a note linked to the day before the Sabbath. It belongs to a group of psalms (93 to 99) that celebrate the LORD as king, probably sung in temple worship.

How do you pray Psalm 93 when everything is falling apart?

Read it slowly, then name before God what is roaring in your life, your own floods. Next, repeat verse 1 as a declaration: the LORD reigns. You are not asking God to make you believe everything is fine. You are acknowledging that his throne is steadier than what you are going through, and you are leaning on it.

Articles quoting Psalm 93

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World English Bible translation — public domain.