Psalm 93 is a short, majestic proclamation: “The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength… Thy throne is prepared from of old: thou art from everlasting.” Floods roar and the sea surges, but “wonderful is the Lord on high.” The Church sings it on the Solemnity of Christ the King. In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 92. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 93 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself. For he hath established the world which shall not be moved.
Thy throne is prepared from of old: thou art from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord: the floods have lifted up their voice. The floods have lifted up their waves,
With the noise of many waters. Wonderful are the surges of the sea: wonderful is the Lord on high.
Thy testimonies are become exceedingly credible: holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.
Psalm 93 or Psalm 92?
The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 92 is Psalm 93 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Dominus regnavit, decorem indutus est. See how many psalms are there?
The kingship psalms
Psalm 93 opens a group of psalms (93 and 95–99) that proclaim “The Lord reigns.” Scholars call them the kingship or enthronement psalms: they celebrate God as King of creation and of history, and look forward to the day when he will “come to judge the earth.” Christians sing them as hymns to Christ the King, who said before Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), and who will come again in glory.
The flood waters in Psalm 93 recall the chaos God tamed at creation and the storms of history that threaten his people. However loud the waves become, the King is mightier. In 1925 Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King in a world shaken by war and dictatorship, to remind the nations of the same truth. See Christ the King Sunday, and the other kingship psalms: Psalm 95, Psalm 96, Psalm 97 and Psalm 98.
What the psalm means
- God is King: “The Lord hath reigned,” a cry of faith in God’s rule over all.
- Clothed in majesty and strength: God’s glory is like a royal robe.
- A world that stands firm: “he hath established the world which shall not be moved.”
- The roaring floods: chaos and danger rise up, but “wonderful is the Lord on high.”
- Holiness in God’s house: “holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.”
How the Church uses Psalm 93
- On Christ the King (Year B): “The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.” See Christ the King Sunday.
- In the Liturgy of the Hours, at Morning Prayer.
A prayer with Psalm 93
Written for this page:
Lord, you are King, robed in majesty and strength.
Your throne stands firm from of old; you are from everlasting.
When the floods of trouble roar around me, you are mightier still.
Reign in my heart, Christ my King, now and for ever. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is Psalm 93 about?
God’s eternal kingship, stronger than the roaring floods and the chaos of the world.
Why is Psalm 93 read on Christ the King?
Because it proclaims “The Lord hath reigned… clothed with beauty,” which the Church applies to Christ the King.
More psalms and prayers
- Psalm 99 (Holy is the Lord)
- Psalm 47
- Psalm 96
- Christ the King Sunday
- Psalms of praise
- How many psalms are there?
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 92 (93); John 18:36, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.