John Calvin Commentary Psalms 93:3

"The floods have lifted up, O Jehovah, The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves." — Psalms 93:3 (ASV)

The floods have lifted up, O Jehovah! Various meanings have been attached to this verse. Some think there is an allusion to the violent assaults made against the Church by her enemies, and the goodness of God seen in restraining them. Others hold the opinion that the words should be taken literally, and not figuratively, in this sense—though the noise of many waters is terrible, and the waves of the sea more fearsome still, God is more terrible than all.

I would not be inclined to insist too precisely upon any comparison that may have been intended. I have no doubt the Psalmist demonstrates the power of God by presenting one brief illustration out of many that could have been given, suggesting that we need not look further for a striking instance of Divine power—one that may impress us with an idea of his tremendous majesty—than the floods of waters and agitations of the ocean.

This is similar to Psalm 29:4, where the mighty voice of God is said to be in the thunder. God manifests his power in the sound of the floods and in the tempestuous waves of the sea, in a way designed to inspire our reverential awe.

If it is thought that a comparison is intended, then the latter clause of the verse must be understood as added with this meaning: that all the terror of the objects mentioned is nothing when we come to consider the majesty of God himself, as he is in heaven.

There is still another sense that may be extracted from the words: that though the world may seemingly be shaken with violent commotions, this does not indicate any defect in the government of God, since he can control them at once by his formidable power.