The Lord Has Reigned
The Lord Has Reigned… (1)
Today we continue our meditations on the Psalms, and the psalm of this issue will be the final psalm in the prayer of the Sixth Hour (Psalm 93), which is:
The Lord has reigned…
Title of the Psalm:
“A psalm of thanksgiving to David on the day before the Sabbath…”
This title is not found in the Beirut translation, but it is found in the Septuagint translation, in the Latin translations, and in Saint Augustine’s commentary on the Psalms. The psalm, therefore, is a meditation on the day before the Sabbath, that is, the sixth day. What happened on the sixth day?
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’” (Gen 1:27–28).
But did man remain in the image of God? And did he reign over the earth? Neither this nor that. Rather, man became corrupted and lost his divine image, and he also lost his authority. Instead of him, Satan reigned, whom the Lord of glory Himself calls “the ruler of this world” (John 14:30), and whom the Apostle Paul calls “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2). Satan did not reign over the earth only in general, but also in detail. One of his soldiers is called in the Book of Daniel “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” (Dan 10:13).
This situation continued until God the Son became incarnate and restored man to his original image.
God took the image of man in order to give man the image of God.
This is regarding the image… but what about the reign?
It had not yet been accomplished before the sixth day. Truly, Christ was preaching this Kingdom in every city and village (Matt 4:23), and when He sent His disciples He said to them, “Preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matt 10:7). The Kingdom was approaching, but God had not yet reigned, and His entry into Jerusalem as a King was only a symbol of the coming Kingdom. For after Palm Sunday by days, “the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me” (John 14:30). And when He approached the Cross, “the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:11).
So when did this happen? It happened on the sixth day, when the Lord Jesus Christ paid on our behalf the wages of sin, which is death. Here David begins his psalm and says, “The Lord has reigned; He is clothed with majesty” (Ps 92:1). We ask Him, where did He reign? He answers in another psalm, “The Lord has reigned upon the wood” (Ps 95:10).
“The Lord has reigned; He is clothed with majesty. The Lord is clothed with strength; He has girded Himself.”
The power of the Lord Jesus Christ appeared on the Cross, because He was able to “destroy by death him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb 2:14–15). And what then? He took “the keys of Hades and of Death” (Rev 1:18). He “led captivity captive” (Eph 4:8), opened the gate of Paradise (Luke 23:43), and gave those who love Him “to eat from the tree of life” (Rev 2:7). Thus, by His death He reigned over the living and the dead.
And in His death He was not weak, but rather “He was clothed with majesty”: for “the veil of the temple was torn in two… and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised” (Matt 27:51–52), and He “abolished death” (2 Tim 1:10). Thus the Lord reigned, and He also gave us “to reign with Him” (2 Tim 2:12).
Some may ask: if Christ reigned at that time, who was reigning before His crucifixion? The Apostle answers this: “Death reigned from Adam.” And how? “By the one man’s offense death reigned” (Rom 5:14, 17). But now the Lord has reigned, and we live in the Kingdom of God. Indeed, “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).
Christ “girded Himself,” that is, He prepared for work. He girded Himself with power: “Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One… draw it out and prosper and reign” (Ps 45:3–4). His power appeared on the Cross in His defeat of Satan, and His power appeared at the tomb in His defeat of death. When else did His power appear, and how? It appeared in His establishment of the Church and His strengthening of it, until it swept over nations and kingdoms, rulers and kings submitted to it, and philosophies and religions perished before it. And the Lord reigned over all these, manifesting His power. Thus, “the kingdom of God has come with power” (Mark 9:1), and with great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all: “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). Even the chief priests asked them, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” (Acts 4:7). It is the power that the Apostle Paul felt when he said, “According to His working which works in me mightily” (Col 1:29).
Truly, the Lord was clothed with power and girded Himself with it in the establishment of the Church. Therefore, the psalmist says immediately after that:
“Because the world is established, it shall not be moved” (Ps 92:1).
Here, “the world” does not mean the earth, but its inhabitants, as Psalm 95 says, “He shall judge the world with righteousness.” And as the psalm also says, “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness” (Ps 99:1–2). It does not mean the earth, but its inhabitants.
Here also, “the world” does not mean all people, but only the believers or the saints, the members of the Church, against which the gates of Hades shall not prevail. As for the rest, the Psalms call them “strangers” (Ps 54:3).
How amazing is the statement about the Church that it shall not be shaken! It is said about the mountains, “The mountains shake with His strength” (Ps 46:3), and it is said that “the hills shall be removed” (Isa 54:10), and also “the earth will shake from its place” (Isa 13:13), and even the heavens are said of them, “the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matt 24:29).
So what is the secret that this Church is established and not shaken?
David answers in another psalm: “God is in her midst; she shall not be moved” (Ps 46:4–5). The secret, then, is that “God is in her midst.” “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20). “Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved” (Ps 16:8). “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58).
God said that He would dwell in you and walk among you (2 Cor 6:16). And how does He dwell in us? He dwells as a King, because “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). And as long as He dwells in us as a King, He must have a throne. Here David says:
“Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting” (Ps 92:2).
The correct translation of the word “Your throne” is indeed “Your throne.” How is God’s throne established from the beginning? Truly, O Lord, You possessed us on the Cross and purchased us with Your blood (1 Cor 6:20). But even before this, we were Yours, and the kingdom of Satan was nothing but usurpation: “For strangers have risen up against me, and oppressors have sought after my life; they have not set God before them” (Ps 54:3). We are Yours, not only because You redeemed us, but also because before that You created us. Therefore, Your right to reign over us is not of today or of yesterday or the day before yesterday, but rather, “Your throne is established from the beginning.” You reign over the Church and You establish it, because it needed that. And how?
“The rivers lifted up, O Lord, the rivers lifted up their voice; the rivers lifted up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters” (Ps 93:3–4).
The Lord said, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). And the Apostle John explained this, saying, “This He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive” (John 7:39). Thus, the Holy Spirit can be likened, or His work in believers likened, to “rivers of living water.” Perhaps this is what David means when he says, “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God” (Ps 46:4).
If the word “rivers” is applied to the Spirit of God and His work, it can also be applied to those filled with the Spirit of God, in whom and through whom the Spirit of God works—those from whose hearts these rivers flow to water others and gladden the city of God.
What happened to these rivers?
David says, “The rivers lifted up, O Lord, the rivers lifted up their voice” (Ps 92:3). This is what happened on the Day of Pentecost when the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, when these rivers were filled with living water. Some mocked and said, “They are full of new wine!” Then Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and said (Acts 2:14).
What happened when this great river lifted up its voice and overflowed with living water? Those who gladly received his word were baptized, and about three thousand souls were added that day. These rivers lifted up their voice and could not remain silent, as Peter said to the chief priests (Acts 4:20).
While these holy rivers were lifting up their voices in preaching, there were other holy rivers lifting up their voice: “They raised their voice to God with one accord and said: ‘Lord, You are God’” (Acts 4:24). What happened when they lifted up their voice? “The place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
When the rivers lifted up their voice in the hearing of people, the people believed. And when they lifted up their voice to God, He responded. But…
What else happened when the rivers lifted up their voice?
The Scripture says: “Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them… and they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day… And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked them” (Acts 4:1–7). Did all these rise up against the rivers to oppose them? Yes, and more than these. Governors, princes, kings, rulers, authorities, and judges rose against them—and also “perils among false brethren” (2 Cor 11:26). David summarizes all this in the expression “many waters.”
Do “many waters” symbolize oppositions?
Yes. David says: “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us… then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul… Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth” (Ps 123:1–6).
These many waters, the waters without end, and the floods symbolize here and elsewhere oppositions, tribulations, the world and its problems. David uses another expression to indicate the many waters, which is the sea. He says:
“More than the voices of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mightier” (Ps 93:4–5).
One of the common metaphors in Scripture is likening the world to the sea, the Church to a ship, and the dangers and evils of the world to waves. The Apostle Jude likens the wicked to “raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame” (Jude 13). Isaiah says, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt” (Isa 57:20).
When the rivers lifted up their voice, crying out to God from the sound of many waters, what were the terrors of the sea that struck them? The Apostle Paul gives us an example, explaining the abundance of labors, stripes, prisons, beatings, stonings, and deaths many times. Were these all the terrors of the sea? No. He continues: “In perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren” (2 Cor 11:23–26). Truly, the terrors of the sea are wonderful! David explains them in Psalm 2, saying: “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed” (Ps 2:1–2).
What happened when the waves of the sea raged, and the kings of the earth rose up, and the peoples plotted vanity? Were they able to sweep away the children of God? Did the endless waters seize their souls? No, because “the Lord on high is mightier.” He comes to them walking on the water, trampling the raging waves under His feet, rebuking the sea so that it becomes calm. Therefore, let David sing and say: “O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty like You, O Lord? You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them” (Ps 89:8–9). Let the sea rage as it wills, and let the peoples plot vanity… “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh… Then He shall speak to them in His wrath” (Ps 2:4–5). “The Lord on high is mightier.”
Your testimonies are very sure
The waves of the sea rose against the disciples—what are God’s sure testimonies that they remembered and were comforted by? The Lord said to them: “They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.” These are the wonderful terrors of the sea. Is there consolation in facing them? The Lord continues: “But settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist” (Luke 21:12–15). Truly, Your testimonies are very sure, O Lord.
Is there another testimony? Yes, He said to them: “You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.” These are the wonderful terrors of the sea. What then? He says: “But not a hair of your head shall be lost” (Luke 21:16–18).
Truly, the Lord did not deceive them in anything. He told them these things before they happened, so that when they did happen, they would believe (John 14:29). Believe in what? Believe that His testimonies are very sure. This is regarding the past—what about the future? They also believe that:
Holiness adorns Your house, O Lord, forever
You said to the Jews, “See! Your house is left to you desolate” (Matt 23:38; Luke 13:35). And Your testimonies were very sure, and it was fulfilled. But regarding Your Church, You said, “The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18). So let Your testimonies be sure, O Lord, and let Your Church remain sanctified by Your name and Your blood until the end…
“O Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells” (Ps 25:8). “Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they will still be praising You” (Ps 83:4), because “Holiness adorns Your house, O Lord, forever” (Ps 93:5).
A Spiritual Meditation
We have spoken, O blessed brother, about the prophetic meaning of the psalm as applied to the Church. It remains for you to apply it personally to yourself. For example:
The Lord has reigned and is clothed with majesty.
That is, He has reigned over your entire self: your life, your desires, your time, your thoughts, your feelings… everything you have. You were purchased by His blood and became His possession. Thus, He is clothed with majesty in you. You have become fearsome to the demons: “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you… nor shall any plague come near your dwelling” (Ps 90:7, 10). Some thoughts and lusts do not approach you, and if they pass through your mind, they quickly vanish like smoke. But you may say to yourself, “This is not my condition—how can I contemplate it in prayer?” Contemplate it as hope, as desire, as you say, “Your kingdom come.”
The Lord is clothed with strength and girded Himself, because the world is established and shall not be moved.
It is the power of God working in you so that you may walk in the procession of His triumph. And it is the power of grace given to you to strive and persevere until you surrender your will to the Lord. Thus, you remain established in the love of God, and your will does not waver toward sin, because “your inheritance is secure.”
Your throne is established from the beginning, and You are from everlasting.
I should have made Your throne in my heart from the beginning, but I was late in loving You.
The rivers lift up their voice, from the sound of many waters.
Many waters fight against you, foremost among them the world, the flesh, and the devil, with the stumbling blocks, lusts, and thoughts they present… and the rest of your troubles that you place before God. Wonderful are the terrors of the sea that wants to sweep you away. But the help of God will save you, because the Lord on high is mightier.
His testimonies are very sure.
As You testified, O Lord, that in the world we will have tribulation, You also said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Overcome it once again in my heart and in my life.
Holiness adorns Your house, O Lord, forever.
The house of God is your heart, which must be sanctified to be worthy of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And this must be for all days, so that you do not live a wavering and unstable life.
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Article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Keraza Magazine – First Year – Issue Five, June 1965.
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