The Lord Is Mightier Than Floodwaters in Psalm 93

One of my good friends, Gordon Fort, often proclaims, “The Lord is firmly fixed in the heavens, and eternity is running right on schedule.”

“The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.” Psalm 93:1

Indeed, the Lord reigns as our Sovereign Lord. He is robed in majesty. He is trustworthy because he is strong, and the world is not in limbo. The brokenness of the world does not define eternity. The world is firmly established and will never be moved.

In 1 Chronicles 16, David is celebrating the God of the ark of the covenant. He sings: “Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved” (1 Chronicles 16:28-30).

There is something reassuring to us about a forever-reigning God who is established forever. Even when facing loss.

Especially when facing loss.

“Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.” Psalm 93:2

As in Psalm 2, the nations may rage but the throne of the Lord is impenetrable. The Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. He reigns and is firmly fixed and established from of old in the heavens.

When your throne is established forever and firmly in place, you laugh at those who rage against you. When you are robed in majesty, you reign in confidence. Psalm 2 contends the Lord holds the raging nations in derision.

“The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!” Psalm 93:3-4

In these two verses we see an illustration of lament. Our eyes of sight tell us that overwhelming waves are crashing upon us. The times are perilous. Brokenness is winning. The floodwaters are rising, and our demise appears certain. Loss presses in on us. However, our eyes of faith proclaim for us a different narrative. The Lord is mightier still. He is mightier than the thundering waters.

In lament we turn to God and not away from him. The difficulties brought by brokenness lead us to bring our complaints and requests to God. And these are seasoned with the hope of trust.

Yes, the floods are mighty—face the pain. However, the Lord is mightier—face his goodness.

Again, lament begins with turning to God. Lament encourages pain-filled complaint. Lament does not wallow in the complaint but turns it to a request. But in a “Thy-will-be-done” perspective, we trust him, his goodness, and his power. His decrees are trustworthy. He is righteous and holy. He is mightier than any floodwaters that rise around and against us.

If your circumstances are telling you he is not on his throne, your circumstances are lying to you. The message from your circumstances is not to be trusted; instead, the Lord on his throne is to be trusted.

“Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.” Psalm 93:5