This brief Psalm is without title or name of author, but its subject is obvious enough, being stated in the very first line. It is the Psalm of Omnipotent Sovereignty: Jehovah, despite all opposition reigns supreme. Possibly at the time this sacred ode was written, the nation was in danger from its enemies, and the hopes of all the people of God were encouraged by remembering that the Lord was still King. What sweeter and surer consolation could they desire?
Verse 1. "The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is established that it cannot be moved." "The Lord reigneth," or Jehovah reigns. Whatever opposition may arise, his throne is unmoved; he has reigned, does reign and will reign for ever and ever. Whatever turmoil and rebellion there may be beneath the clouds, the eternal king sits above all in supreme serenity, and everywhere he is really master, let his foes rage as they may. All things are ordered according to his eternal purposes, and his will be done. In the verse before us, it would appear that the Lord for a while seemed to vacate the throne, but suddenly he puts on his royal apparel and ascends his lofty seat, while his happy people proclaim him with new joy, shouting, "The Lord reigneth." What can give greater joy to a loyal subject than a sight of the king in his beauty? Let us repeat the proclamation, "The Lord reigneth" – whispering it in the ears of the desponding, and publishing it in the face of the foe; "The Lord reigneth."
Verse 2. "Thy throne is established of old; thou art from everlasting." The perpetual nature of the Lord's kingdom is celebrated in these words. In earthly monarchies and kingdoms and nations "thrones" are not infrequently shaken by the death of a king or some principal man, or by the unfaithfulness of the people or the ministers of state, or because of the attacks or the schemes of the enemies; but none of these things can disturb the divine rule.
Verse 4. "The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, then the mighty waves of the sea." That is, "The breaking waves of the sea." Let us ever remember that the "noise" that we hear is that of the breaking wave. Our greatest dangers are only breaking waves – waves which break at His feet. And what a picture this is, then, of our safety; what an epitome of the history of God's government of His church! Thus the calming of the storm on the lake of Galilee was not only a parable representing the history of the kingdom of God, but also typical of the consummation of all things. A summary of the past, a prophecy of the future, a type of the end. And what applies to the church as a whole, holds equally true to the individual believer in Jesus Christ.
Verse 5. "Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thy house." In "Hints to the Village Preacher," in the Treasury of David, this whole 93rd Psalm is outlined under the heading – "Revivals of Religion Described." It is an excellent description, of the "marks" of the true refreshing time from the hand of the Lord to His church stand out clearly:
1. God reigns: "The Lord reigns" etc. – verse 1.
2. His power is felt: "He hath girded himself." Etc. – verse 1.
3. His kingdom is established: "Thy throne" etc. – verse 2.
4. Opposition is overcome: "The Lord is mightier" etc. – verse 4.
5. Thy Word is valued: "Thy testimonies" etc. – verse 5.
6. Holiness is cultivated: "Holiness becometh thy house."
Between verse 1 and verse 5 we may see the process of "Cause and Effect." Mr Spurgeon says, "'Jehovah reigns', is the first word and the main doctrine of the psalm, and holiness therefore is the final result; a due esteem for the great King will lead us to adopt a behaviour becoming His royal presence." The one thing that becomes the house of God is "Holiness to the Lord." This was true of the typical" house, the Temple; it is true of the greater spiritual house, the Church; it is also true of the "personal" house, the believer; and will fill the eternal house, heaven, for ever and ever.