This week we have looked at David, the has-been king; Adonijah, the would-be king; and Solomon, the newly appointed king. All of them are poor reflections of the real King described in these verses – the King over all the world and everything in it.  

God’s throne is eternal – there need be no fights of succession. He is King, he always was King, and he always will be. That gives security to us and to all creation (vs 1,5) – God does not change laws on the basis of a whim or a mood. His laws are fair and will stand for ever.  

God is all-powerful – he is clothed in majesty and armed with strength. He has the power to enforce his laws and to withstand any challenges to his authority. How would you define or picture majesty? What does God’s majesty mean in your everyday living? 

How often is the sea mentioned in this psalm? To the ancient Jews, the sea could symbolise chaos and destruction. It is powerful and uncontrollable, but before the might of God the King even the sea loses its power and is brought to worship (vs 3,4). 

‘Bring forth the royal diadem, / and crown him Lord of all.’¹

Sometimes the clothes people wear convey something of their authority. The mitre and vestments that a bishop wears to process, a wig and gown in the legal sphere, or even a white lab coat can indicate something of importance. Consider, in the context of this psalm, the royal robes monarchs wear on grand state occasions. If we are in any doubt about the psalmist’s belief that the Lord reigns, we read that God is clothed in majesty and strength (v 1). It’s as if the author is saying that majesty and power are so intrinsic to God’s being that he is clothed in them.

God’s people are using these words in worship, probably after the Exile when there is no longer a Davidic king on the throne. The fact that, amid chaos and despair, God is still on the throne is a focus for their worship and expressions of hope. Whatever the circumstances may suggest, the Lord reigns. In fact the phrase ‘The Lord reigns’ (v 1) is as likely to be a title for Psalms 93–100, as a group, as it is for this psalm. It’s a heading that is re-emphasised time and again, not least by the claim that the Lord is mightier than the waters of sea and flood. Water, especially the ocean, was often something to be feared in the ancient world. The power of the ocean suggested wild, untamed chaos, but over even this most primal of forces, the Lord reigns and rules.

Whatever forces of chaos we currently face, this psalm draws us close to the majesty and power of God, reminding us of his permanence and security. He has ever been, and will ever be. Nothing will shift him from his position of strength and security, so we can be confident of his enduring faithfulness in every circumstance. 

Spend some time praising and thanking God for his power and majesty. 

¹Edward Perronet, 1721–92, ‘All hail the power of Jesus’ name’