Psalms 93:1

PSALM 93

THE ETERNAL THRONE OF GOD

As McCaw said, "If Jerusalem had an annual festival in which the Lord was especially worshipped as Creator-King, how suitable this psalm would be for use in it. But suitability does not constitute proof, and the psalm rather bears witness to the richness of the doctrine of God the Creator, as revealed in the Old Testament."[1]

It seems to be fashionable among present day scholars to speak of such annual festivals held by the Jews, one in particular, being a ceremonious "Enthronement of God as King." We do not believe the Jews ever had any such festival. If they had such a thing, how could the nation's principal authority, the Sanhedrin, have shouted before Pilate at the trial of Jesus Christ, "We have no king but Caesar?"

Kyle Yates, one of the translators of the RSV Old Testament, also questioned the reality of such alleged festivals.

"This psalm, along with Psalms 47, and Psalms 96-99 are usually called Royal Psalms or Enthronement Psalms. Mowinckel and others have done extensive research in an attempt to reconstruct an actual enthronement ceremony in connection with the New Year's celebration ... The positive evidence of such a practice is indeed slight."[2]

Additionally, the Old Testament has nothing that even suggests such a thing.

Psalms 93:1-2

"Jehovah reigneth; he is clothed with majesty;

Jehovah is clothed with strength; he hath girded himself therewith:

The world also is established,

And it cannot be moved.

Thy throne is established of old.

Thou art from everlasting."

These verses present three consecutive affirmations:

(1) There is the statement that God reigns majestically in the security of unlimited strength (Psalms 93:1a).

(2) Then there is the unmovable stability of the planet earth; and although the conclusion is not stated here, it is surely implied that the established world with its security and stability derives such qualities from the Creator-God who rules over everything (Psalms 93:1b).

(3) "Thy throne ... thou art" (Psalms 93:2). These words thunder the message that Israel is acquainted with the Great God and are able to address him in intimate terminology such as "Thy" and "Thou." God's people love to meditate upon such great truths of God as are stated here and are thus encouraged in their worship and adoration of their true King.

"Thy throne is established of old ... from everlasting" (Psalms 93:2). The author of Hebrews listed the credentials of the King of Kings, namely Jesus Christ; and, of course, those credentials are the same as those of the "ruling Jehovah" in this passage. These are: (1) King by right of eternal existence; (2) by right of creation; (3) by right of personal excellence, "majesty and strength;" (4) by divine right; (5) by right of maintenance, "upholding all things by the word of his power"; (6) by right of purchase (This establishes God's right to rule over humanity in that he purchased, or redeemed us, through the blood of His Son); and (7) by right of his present position on the Eternal Throne (God is not a mere pretender; his rulership is a fait accompli). "Jehovah reigneth" (Psalms 93:1).