Opening verse: Ps.47:6-7.   (I want to listen to this sermon)

Interesting patterns in this Psalm:

v.1            robed…robed.

v.1b-2     established…established.

v.3            floods + lifted up… floods + lifted up… floods + lifted up.

v.4            mightier…(mightier)…mighty.

v.5            (Exception – no repetition here).

The expression with which the Psalm opens appears in three more Psalms : 96, 97, 99 and also in 1Chr.16:31 (this appears in a section of praise where a variety of Psalms seem to be woven together.)

The idea however is much wider and must not be limited to these verses alone.

Cf. Is.52:7 "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

And if we look for closely related ideas we find – the Lord of Hosts reigns, the Lord will reign, and I will be King over you. Similarly there are several references to the throne of God.

Indeed the reign of this Lord is truly majestic and mighty. Far from being like the reign of an earthy empire which is here for a while and then gone the Lord's reign is an everlasting reign – knowing neither beginning nor end.

Kings of this world frequently are dressed in a way to try to demonstrate their impressiveness as monarchs. They seek with gorgeous apparel to declare to the watching world their majesty.

See how our King is clothed! Here are no garments that aim to point to His majesty but rather He is clothed with Majesty itself. Cf. Is.6:1 "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple."

Earthly kings clad themselves with the external trappings of royalty but our Lord's "garments" are indeed His attributes – He is Majestic and He is full of power and strength. He is majesty itself – full of magnificence and splendor, beautiful and characterized by an impressive dignity. Indeed such are the glory of His attributes that He deserves our highest praise and esteem.

Because of who He is and because of the power which is His – compared here to the wearing of a belt – the whole world stands firm. The world is established ie. It is sure and can be depended upon – the basis of all scientific study – our world is not haphazard and the product of blind irrational forces. We don't live in a world of utter chaos – what we call the "laws of nature" can be counted upon specifically because God is dependable and has "established" the world.

But there is more. The image of the putting on of strength as a belt signifies that not only  is He powerful but also that He is ready for action. The Psalmist is declaring that the LORD is ready to enter into battle on behalf of His people. Further more when this one enters into battle none of His enemies can stand before Him. Thus there is great reason for confidence for the people who have Yahweh as their Lord!

In v.3 the Lord's power is compared to that of the roaring of the seas. What more impressive than the pounding of the waves crashing in upon the seashore? How indomitable the seas appear to be with their seemingly chaotic forces pounding and roaring. And yet the power of the Lord is simply more powerful.

The world can appear chaotic at times and seemingly out of control – the world of nature and the world of men – like the crashing of a great sea-storm. Yet the believer need not fear for the LORD (note the use of the covenant name!) is mighty indeed, much mightier and easily in control.

Every king rules and in doing so issues laws and decrees. Some kings are better than others. Some try to rule well but others are unconcerned about questions of justice and goodness only being interested in their own short-term interests.

See what the Psalmist says about the LORD. His decrees are trustworthy. No that's not quite what the Psalmist says, he says "His decrees are very trustworthy" "exceedingly trustworthy". It would be a terrible thing to be subject to an almighty King who did not know how to rule wisely – His power could crush and destroy us. But here in the LORD we have the perfect marriage of power and wisdom – we can dependent upon all of His decrees and trust all His laws as being totally trustworthy, totally good, because Holiness befits the house of this King. Nothing weak, nothing imperfect, nothing evil in what He ordains.

May the response of our lives be one of holiness in return!

As we did last week – let's take another look at our Psalm to see how it might direct us to Jesus to learn more of Him. We are doing this in the conviction that the whole Bible testifies of Jesus as our Lord Himself taught His disciples:

Lk.24:44 "Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Jesus was derided by the soldiers before His crucifixion as they bowed before Him in mock worship calling out "Hail, King of the Jews" (Mt.27:29). However every knee will be obliged to bow before Him for He is the true King, Son of David, Son of God. His reward from His Father was being given that highly exalted name:

Phil.2:9-10 " Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,"

Eph.1:20-22 "he raised him (Jesus) from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,"

Remember how He stilled the winds and the waves with a word – mightier indeed than the mighty floods! Mk.4:39-41 "And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

But His power is not to be limited – He defeated Satan when the latter tempted Him "“Be gone, Satan!" and when Satan returned to the foray later Jesus again had the victory. (Lu 4:13 "And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time."

He has entered into the fight on our behalf – being our substitute He clothed Himself with strength and defeated our enemies: Col.2:15 "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." Eph.4:8 "Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

He is currently sat at the right hand of the throne of God where He reigns while. waiting for all His enemies to be made as a footstool beneath His feet.

This our King rules with an everlasting rule: Rev.11:15 “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

His words, all the wonderful trustworthy teaching that He brought concerning the Kingdom of God, will never pass away though everything else might be shaken. Such words are exceedingly trustworthy and to be depended upon.