Do you feel like you are drowning in trouble? Do you feel like you are in over your head and you don't know how much longer you can tread water before the floods of life overwhelm you? If so, Psalm 93 is written for you.
Overall Structure
The Meaningful Center of Psalm 93 is verse 3:
The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring. Psalm 93:3
The central word is "floods".
Clearly, the psalmist is writing as a response to feeling overwhelmed by the troubles, the floods, of life.
The psalm has a regular pattern of address: About God - To God - About God - To God. But this pattern does not line up with the generally accepted two part division of the text. The meaningful center, which begins the second section, is a continuation of the preceeding prayer to God which started in verse 2.
There are 45 words in the psalm and the word "established" in Hebrew has the numerical value of 45. Although this could be coincidence, it is more likely intentional since the word "established" is in direct contrast to the feeling of being overwhelmed. God's throne is established and cannot be reached by the floods. He is still enthroned above all.
You Are Everlasting
Psalm 93:1-2
The first verse, which is written about God, exalts the majesty and strength of God.
The second verse switches to a prayer to God, declaring his eternal steadfastness. God cannot be moved! His works are established and His life is everlasting.
You Are Mightier Than the Floods
Psalm 93:3-5
In contrast to God, we have the Floods. Three times the psalmist cries out, "The floods are lifted up!"
Frequently water in the Bible is a picture of choas, pointing back to creation. The psalmist feels overwhelmed by the chaos — the troubles — the floods of life.
But just like at creation, where the Spirit of God hovered over the waters, God is always supreme over the chaos of this world.
In verse 4, the psalmist switches once again to talking about God. He reminds us that God is mightier than any waters — mightier than any troubles in your life!
The final verse is once again a prayer. We are reminded that God's decrees, just like His world, throne and very existence, are eternal. And because of the eternal unchanging nature of God, holiness is fitting for God's house.
In contrast to the chaos of our lives, God is established and firm. He remains steadfast in majesty, might, eternity, perfection and moral laws.
Application
Your life may be overwhemed with troubles and chaos, but God is greater!
God is firmly established:
- His throne is eternal
- His might and majesty are unequaled
- His creation is firm
- His life is unending
- His decrees are trustworthy
Trust God! He is greater that the floods! He is greater that your troubles!
This post is part of a series on the Psalms.
by Jerry Wyrick, President of Worship Arts Conservatory