Psalm 93

To the Hebrew mind, the sea was associated with evil. In Isaiah 57, Isaiah wrote that the wicked were like the sea. In Psalm 89, the psalmist wrote that the raging sea was akin to the opponents of the Lord. In Revelation, the sea is pictured as the birthplace of the Satanic beast (Rev 13) and the place of the dead (Rev 20). No wonder, when John pictured the earth made new, he wrote that the sea had disappeared (Rev 21).

So, when I read this psalm, I understand the psalmist to be declaring that God is sovereign over evil: “The seas have lifted up, LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty.” (vs 3-4)

When we look out at the world, we see a lot of evil. Child abuse, sexuality immorality, murder, lying, cheating, corruption, gossiping, greed, pride. You name it, we can find it anywhere we turn. In fact, sometimes, it can all feel a bit overwhelming—sort of like being in the middle of a raging sea with massive waves, no boat, and no land in sight.

But, as one of my favorite praise songs declares, “Father, You are king over the flood. I will be still and know You are God.” Against the backdrop of the raging, out-of-control sea, the psalmist says, “The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.” (vs 1)

No matter how bad things look around you, God is on His throne, and everything is truly all right with the world. Let the seas foam. Let the storms rage. Let evil roar. Let the wicked go berserk. Nothing can shake the foundations of God’s throne. And because He is “robed in majesty and armed with strength,” the world, indeed, “is established, firm and secure.”

God reigns over evil, and one day soon, He will calm the raging sea. And when He does, He will—as He is well able to—make all things right and all things new.