Psalm 29.10

In the AV the wording of this verse is, "The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King forever". The RV uses both the past and present tense of the verb "sit". "The Lord sat as king at the Flood; yea the Lord sitteth (still) as king forever" (RV). In such few words we have a wonderful revelation of the Lord and His character: His deity, "The LORD" (Jehovah); His tranquillity, "sitteth"; His sovereignty, "King"; His superiority, "upon"; His authority, "the flood". What a wonderful Lord!

His Deity - "The LORD"

Those who occupy seats of government such as the Kremlin, the White House, or even 10 Downing Street, are mere men. The control of the universe is still in the almighty hands of Jehovah. He is self-existing, depending on no one and on nothing for His existence. Everything depends on Him. Are you not glad that this God is your Father?

His Tranquillity - "sitteth"

The chaotic conditions of Noah’s days did not cause God to lose control, to wring His hands in desperation and despair. The serenity of His rule was never lost. God laughs at man’s attempts to remove Him from the throne of the universe (Ps 2.1-6). God’s King has already been chosen and He is the Man of Calvary. The hands that were pierced by cruel nails, will wield the sceptre of universal sway. If God remains imperturbable amid all the commotion of present world affairs, should not we?

His Sovereignty - "King"

He is sovereign and no constitutional monarch, nor yet a puppet king. David’s messianic psalm that speaks of the suffering Saviour also speaks of the supreme Sovereign: "For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations" (22.28).

King Ahasuerus reigned from India to Ethiopia and over 127 provinces. It took 180 days for this monarch to display the splendour and excellence of his majesty (Ezra 1.1,4). These days came to an end. Eternity will never exhaust the worth and greatness of Him who is the Governor of all nations.

His Superiority - "upon"

Peter began to walk on the waters but then sank in the storm tossed sea: the Lord walked on the same waters with never the possibility of sinking. In the flood, the rain that came down and the fountains of the deep that were opened carried the world population before them and destroyed all except eight persons. The Lord sat as King over that same flood. How good to know that God is above and over all that is happening in our poor world, and all that is yet to take place.

Note the use of the present tense of the verb to express the greatness of God’s power: "The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea the Lord sitteth King forever".

His Authority - "the flood"

Noah’s days, like our own, were troublous, catastrophic, and of great moment. There was a population explosion and this was accompanied by an increase in wickedness. Where man multiplies so does sin, immorality, and spiritism. The real problem of humanity is identified in Genesis 6.5; it is the sheer wickedness and perversity of the human heart. Various evils are mentioned.

Satanic activity - Genesis 6.2

This evil association produced "giants". This does not indicate people of unusual stature, but rather suggests that they were great in power, that they were tyrannical, and that they had no respect for authority, whether human or divine.

Increasing iniquity - Genesis 6.5

Those days were marked by brutality, immorality, and anarchy.

Notable superficiality - Luke 17.26-27

The people lived for the satisfaction of self. It was a materialistic and humanistic society.

Unbelievable incredulity - Genesis 6.3

"The flood came, and destroyed them all" (Lk 17.27).

Everything seemed out of control, like a mighty tsunami rush. Nothing seemed capable of stopping the hectic onward charge of evil. God met the flood of evil with the flood of waters. God had not lost control nor was He weakened by the might of the opposition. He sat as King over the flood.

The Cry of the Psalmist

The Psalmist cried in extremity to the Lord: "The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves" (Ps 93.3). God’s people face many difficult situations that seem like floods. Testing and trials, an unfaithful partner, a person who leaves a marriage of many years, unemployment, illness, and diminishing financial resources are some of the pounding floods that reach the shores of Christian lives. The Lord is on high and higher than the highest wave – "The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea" (Ps 93.4). May we learn to hide and trust in Him who sits over the floods.

He sitteth o’er the waterfloods;
Then doubt and fear no more,
For He who passed through all the storms
Has reached the heavenly shore.
And every tempest-driven barque
With Jesus for its Guide,
Will soon be moored in harbour calm,
In glory to abide.

- R Whately

Concluded.