Psalm 93 (92):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He did not need rest from weariness, nor did He cease His labors, for our Lord Christ clearly states: “My Father is working until now” (John 5:17). He spoke this to the Jews, who had a corporeal understanding of God, failing to grasp that the Divine works silently and continuously. Therefore, we who have been called to rest in God will also find peace after performing good deeds. Since these good works are destined to fade away, even the sixth day will come to dusk eventually, yet on the Sabbath, there is no evening, as our rest will have no end. Evening draws to a close, while God fashioned humanity on the sixth day, and likewise, our Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself in the sixth age, enabling man to be reformed in the image of God. The six periods comprise: the first from Adam to Noah; the second from Noah to Abraham; the third from Abraham to David; the fourth from David to the Babylonian exile; and the fifth from that exile to John’s ministry. The sixth day commences with John’s preaching and extends to its conclusion, at which point we will enter into our rest. The sixth day is thus in progress. The sixth day is identified as “the day before the Sabbath, when the earth was founded.” Let us now turn our attention to the Psalm and seek understanding of how the earth was established, perhaps revealing a truth not detailed in Genesis. When was the earth indeed founded? It aligns with the Apostle’s words: “If you are steadfast, immovable” (1 Corinthians 15:58); when all believers across the earth are anchored in their faith, then the earth is established, and humanity bears the image of God, representing the true meaning of the sixth day in Genesis.

“The Lord reigns; He is robed in majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength” (Psalm 91:1). Here we observe that He is adorned with two attributes: majesty and strength. But why does He equip Himself with these qualities? So that He can secure the earth. Consequently, He molded the world with such firmness that it remains unshakable. How is it so secure? Because He is robed in majesty. He would not have acted with such confidence if He were adorned solely in glory without strength. Hence, both majesty and strength are necessary. You know well, dear brethren, that during the Lord’s earthly ministry, He garnered both admiration and disdain from those to whom He preached the gospel. The opinions among the Jews were divided: some proclaimed, “He is a good man,” while others insisted, “No, He is misleading the people” (John 7:12). Some praised Him, while others scorned, tormented, and insulted Him. Thus, those whom He cherished were clothed in glory; to those whom He rebuked, He granted strength. I urge you to emulate your Lord so that you may become His adornment; be pleasing to those who appreciate your good deeds, and exhibit your strength against those who slander.

Further, let us inquire about the significance of the term “girded.” To gird oneself signifies preparation for action; individuals gird themselves before taking up work. Why then did He use “præcinctus" instead of “cinctus”? In another Psalm, it is also stated, “Thou shalt gird Thy sword upon Thy thigh, O Almighty” whereby the sword symbolizes the Spirit of God, which vanquishes sin through the truth of God’s word. Why is it mentioned that He girded His sword round His thigh? It reflects the flesh—if not, the Lord would not have triumphed over the world unless truth had entered into humanity. Therefore, why is it said that He is girded from the front? He who girds himself at the front prepares to act. Hence, it is noted that He girded Himself with a towel and began to wash the feet of His disciples. In this humility, He exhibited strength—because pride is fragile. Speaking of strength, it is noted that He girded Himself, so that we will remember how our God humbled Himself when He washed the feet of His disciples (John 13:4-15). When He had washed their feet, He reclined and declared, “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you speak rightly, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.” If strength resides in humility, do not fear the proud. The humble stand as a rock: while they may appear to lie down, they remain steadfast. What do the proud boast of? Like smoke, they may rise high, yet they dissipate. Therefore, we must attribute our Lord’s girding to His humility, as denoted when He washed His disciples' feet.

He established a round universe that remains unshakable. What does it mean to have a round world that cannot be moved? This would not have been specified if there were not also a movable world. There is an unmovable world comprised of the faithful who are steadfast in their beliefs, such that none can claim they occupy merely a part of it. The wicked, in contrast, when faced with misfortune, scatter across the world. Thus, there exists both a stable world and a tumultuous one, as mentioned by the Apostle. The round world is movable. To whom does the Apostle allude in his words regarding Hymenaeus and Philetus? These individuals strayed by claiming that the resurrection had already occurred, undermining the faith of certain believers (2 Timothy 2:17-19). Do they belong to the unmovable whole? They are mere chaff, for as stated, they unravel the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s foundation remains secure, marked by a seal. What inscription underpins this foundation? The Lord knows those who are His: “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from unrighteousness.” Depart from unrighteousness, for the chaff mingles with the wheat until it is winnowed.

“Thy throne shall be established from thence, O Lord” (Psalm 92:2). What does “from thence” signify? It suggests the throne of God dwells in His saints. Do you desire to be the throne of God? Prepare your heart to be His dwelling place. What is God's throne if not the location of His presence? Where does He dwell but in His temple? What constitutes His temple? It is not surrounded by physical walls; perhaps this world, vast and suitable to house the Creator, is His temple. Yet it cannot contain the One by whom it was fashioned. Where, then, is He contained? In a tranquil and righteous soul: that is the true dwelling of God. He who declared, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58) existed not just before Abraham, but before Adam, and indeed before all angels and the foundations of heaven and earth, as all was created through Him. He alluded to His throne being established, not as an event of His birth, but rather as an eternal truth. He is of eternity. Using the Greek term for ‘age’ or ‘eternity,’ He suggests the divine nature is not confined to human birth but transcends time.

The floods have lifted up their voices (Psalm 91:3). What floods are these that raise their voices? We have not perceived their sounds; neither at the Lord’s birth nor at His baptism or suffering did we hear the rivers speak. An examination of the Gospel reveals silence from the rivers. Yet, they not only spoke but loudly proclaimed. Who then are these rivers? The Spirit, which is a powerful river, pours forth into many tributaries. The psalmist refers to this river in another passage: “The rivers of its overflow make glad the city of God.” The disciples became rivers themselves upon receiving the Holy Spirit. From where did these rivers uplift their voices? They raised them because, initially, they were afraid. Peter was not a river when he cowered before a servant girl, denying Christ thrice: “I do not know that Man” (Matthew 26:69-74). He lay low out of fear; he had not yet found his voice. However, once filled with the Holy Spirit, the apostles boldly spoke before the Jews who had ordered them not to preach or teach in Jesus’ name. After being brought before the Jewish council, they returned to their companions, sharing what the priests and elders had decreed. With one accord, they lifted their voices to the Lord, saying, “Lord, You are God, who made the heaven and the earth, and the sea, and everything in them” (Acts 4:24). Their united voices reflected the miracles of the sea (Psalm 92:4). Silently they stood, yet when they raised their voices to Him, many believed, receiving the Holy Spirit; thus rivers multiplied. Consequently, when many voices surged like mighty waters proclaiming Christ, the sea became tempestuous, igniting persecution. Even with the raging waves, lifting up as if to overwhelm, remember that the Lord who is on high is stronger. Let waves crash, let the sea roar—it is true that threats and tribulations may be fierce—but, as Scripture affirms, the Lord who is seated on high is stronger. Therefore, may the sea be calmed for the Church, which is the vessel that traverses this agitated ocean.

“Thy testimonies, O Lord, are greatly believed” (Psalm 92:5). The powerful Lord who reigns is mightier than the turbulent depths of the sea. Your testimonies are assuredly believed because He proclaimed, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). If He has indeed conquered the world, cling to Him who has triumphed over all. Rejoice in God, for the Lord on high is stronger, and your testimonies are well-founded. Where does it all culminate? “Holiness becomes Thy house, O Lord." Your house—entirely, not just in parts but encompassing all of creation—shows the Lord’s presence. Why encompass the entire earth? Because He established a firm and unshakeable kingdom. The strength of the Lord’s house will be exalted in all the cosmos. Many may fall, yet that house will endure; multitudes may tremble, but it shall remain steadfast. Indeed, “Holiness becomes Thy house, Lord.” Not just for a fleeting moment, but inspired by the eternal nature of His days.

However, if we harbor sins and passions within us, we become a source of shame to God’s house rather than a reflection of its beauty. Holiness is fitting for Your dwelling, O Lord. The house of God is identified with the Church. In spiritual terms, it can be likened to Noah's ark during the flood, where the clean animals, rejoicing in the Lord, were more numerous. Although the creatures there were classified into clean and unclean, only the pure ones belong to the house of God, having already been fashioned into acceptable sacrifices. After navigating the peril of the flood, Noah offered some of these as a worthy burnt-offering to the Lord. There is much to explore, yet time is fleeting, and there is little enough to share in exaltation of the Lord. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Apostle Paul referred to the house of God as the gathering of believers, to whom, as the Prophet declared, ‘it is fitting to be holy.’ Therefore, we are encouraged by the Apostolic call to cleanse ‘ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,’ and to cultivate ‘holiness in the fear of God’ (2 Cor. 7:1), so that, having prepared a sanctuary worthy of God, we may welcome the eternal Dweller within.

Consequently, he asserts that holiness is appropriate for Your house, O Lord, meaning that it ought to be sanctified, being the abode of the holy God. The church will remain holy as long as it is filled with purity and sanctity, avoiding any form of contamination, whether spiritual or physical. This state of holiness, along with any impurity within God's church, should endure for eternity. According to Paul, the house of God is also regarded as the temple of God, and every believer is to embody this sanctity and purity in their lives. Athanasius additionally emphasizes that nothing is more crucial for the church's endurance through the ages than holiness. However, if there exists absurdity within the house of God and instead of purity there is a defiled and profane act, it will be impossible for it to endure into the future. The unnamed commentator states that the house of God comprises all believers who welcome Him into their lives. They must strive to be truly holy, not just today or at any particular time, but perpetually; as Paul stated, “Or do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for the temple of God is holy; and such are you” (2 Cor. 3:16). For those who have become the house of God, holiness and sanctification are indeed fitting so that, as belonging to God, they may be entirely holy, and conversely, as holy, remain closely united with God. If holiness is requisite for all Christians within the Church, how much more is it appropriate for the holy patriarchs, bishops, and priests within it? This is also why Chrysostom, in his 83rd discourse on Matthew, referred to the priesthood as the ministry of angels, while Clement the Collector described it as both unholy and pure (Book 7. Collections). Furthermore, holiness, as explained by the divine Dionysius, signifies perfect purity and total absence of any defilement (Ch. 12, On the Names of God). Thus, Theodoret stated that we should heed the Apostolic encouragement to cleanse ourselves from all impurity of body and spirit, striving for holiness in the fear of God, so that we might prepare a worthy house for God and ultimately receive an everlasting dwelling.

Thus, while God's goodness extends to the entire world, the Prophet particularly extols His incomparable grace towards the people of Israel, viewing it as a holy assurance of eternal life given to His church, manifesting His heavenly glory in its fullness. The phrase "length of days" symbolizes the enduring lineage that would uphold God's Word, which Isaiah clearly prophesied: "Behold, I have given My words into thy mouth, and they shall not fail out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed: the Lord shall speak from now unto the ages of ages" (Isaiah 59:21).

The psalm reflects on the triumph over the proud, aggressive nations that opposed Israel, potentially during the reign of David, showcasing the Lord as the glorious, almighty, and eternal Sovereign of the universe (vv. 1, 2).

The Lord reigns as King over all creation, including the Gentiles, as evidenced by His domination over those who refuse to acknowledge Him. His majestic regalia is the very creation that consistently displays His glory and power. The scriptures declare: “The Lord reigneth; He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength and girded with power; therefore the world is established and cannot be moved; Thy throne is established from the beginning; Thou art from everlasting.” The LXX and Vulgate elucidate the thought process: God reigns, adorned with royal dignity and might, due to His role as the Creator (v. 1), and His throne has been secure since the foundation of the world, enduring from eternity (v. 2).

The mightiest nations are powerless against Him, for He is exalted above all (vv. 3-4). The surging waves of the sea symbolize the Gentile nations, which the Lord has subdued, demonstrating His supreme power and assuring the faithfulness of His people and the sanctity of His temple. The subjugation of the Gentiles and the victory of God's chosen people affirm that (1) the divine warnings to the unrighteous and promises to the faithful, as presented in the law, are completely trustworthy and will undoubtedly come to pass, and (2) God's temple remains holy because He has protected it from desecration by the Gentiles, providing Israel with further motivation to honor and sanctify it (v. 5).

His purity is evident in His flesh, born of the Virgin, while His divinity exemplifies His strength; the holy Cross serves as the belt that subdues His adversaries, and His reign will endure eternally. The world, once swayed by idolatry, is now firmly anchored in the grace of Christ.