1 The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty;
The Lord is clothed,
He has girded Himself with strength.
Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.
2 Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
The floods have lifted up their voice;
The floods lift up their waves.
4 The Lord on high is mightier
Than the noise of many waters,
Than the mighty waves of the sea.
5 Your testimonies are very sure;
Holiness adorns Your house,
O Lord, forever.
Though this psalm has no heading in the Hebrew text, early Jewish tradition attributes it to David and also identifies it as the psalm that was recited by the Levites in the Second Temple on the sixth day of the week (i.e., Friday—because on it “He completed His work (of Creation) and commended reigning over (all) of them (i.e., His creations)” (God’s universal rule also being the theme of this psalm). — Wechsler, page 225.
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It is thought that this Psalm dates from the Assyrian invasion, and that it is the might of the terrible Assyrian foes which is here compared to the mighty breakers of the sea. … This, and the six Psalms which follow, have always been applied by the Jews to the days of the Messiah. Surely then we may apply them to the Lord Jesus. — Meyer, page 113
The Lord reigns (v.1) — Stated six times in Scripture — 1 Chronicles 16:31; Psalm 93:1; 96:10; 97:1; 99:1: Revelation 19:6. Literally “has been reigning”—since Creation.
floods (v.3) — Symbol of the nations
God’s rule over Creation is further affirmed by the fact that the most awe-inspiring manifestation of power and might within Creation yet pales in comparison to God’s own. This point is vividly depicted by the psalmist’s reference to “the floods” (repeated three times for utmost [superlative] emphasis) “pounding waves,” “many waters,” and “mighty breakers,” all of which is meant to symbolize the inexorable and overwhelming power of Creation as perceived by man, yet which is still not more mighty than the Lord on high … — Wechsler, page 226.
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As [the Lord] stilled the raging of the Galilean sea (John 6:16-21) so will He still the future raging of the hostile nations and establish universal peace. — Williams, page 372
testimonies (v.5) — God’s Word, and the Law in particular
holiness (v.5) — separation from any and all things evil.
