Psalms 93:2 — Word Study
WLCנָכ֣וֹן כִּסְאֲךָ֣ מֵאָ֑ז מֵֽעוֹלָ֣ם אָֽתָּה׃
BSAYour thronekiççêʼ [established, firmly set, seat of power] [was] establishedkûwn [set up, appointed] long agoʼâz [from the past, since then] Youʼattâh [the Eternal One] [are] from all eternityʻôwlâm [have existed since, originate in, forever, everlasting]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נָכ֣וֹן | [has been] established | Verb, Niphal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| כִּסְאֲךָ֣ | throne your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| מֵאָ֑ז | from then | Preposition, adverb |
| מֵֽעוֹלָ֣ם | [are] from long ago | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| אָֽתָּה׃ | you | Pronoun |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Your throne was established long ago; You are from all eternity. |
| KJV | Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. |
| ASV | Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from everlasting. |
| YLT | Established is Thy throne since then, From the age Thou [art]. |
| WEB | Your throne is established from long ago. You are from everlasting. |
| BBE | The seat of your power has been from the past; you are eternal. |
The translations agree on the meaning of God's throne being established, with no significant differences noted.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by two prepositional phrases, providing both temporal and existential context.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאַתָּה
verbכּוּן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 93:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Sovereignty of the LORDgenerated
Psalms 93:2 emphasizes the eternal nature of God's throne, affirming His sovereignty and power. The surrounding verses describe the majesty and strength of the LORD, who reigns over creation and is unshakeable despite the chaos of the world, as seen in the tumultuous waters in verse 3. This psalm serves as a reminder of God's unchanging authority throughout history.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 45:6 | Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. |
| 2 | Psalm 145:13 | Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful in all His words and kind in all His actions. |
| 3 | Proverbs 8:22–23 | The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. |
| 4 | Daniel 4:34 | But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. |
| 5 | Micah 5:2 | But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel — One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נָכ֣וֹן, na.Khongenerated
The word נָכ֣וֹן (na.Khon) is a participle from the verb כּוּן (kuwn), meaning to establish or set up. It conveys the idea of something being firmly established or appointed, reflecting God's authority and permanence.
In this verse, it indicates that God's throne has been established long ago, emphasizing His eternal reign. The Niphal form suggests that the subject (God's throne) is in a state of being established, highlighting the action's completion and significance.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses established to convey the permanence of God's throne.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the verb נָכ֣וֹן, was established, with a noun phrase כִּסְאֲךָ, your throne, serving as the subject. The structure emphasizes the throne's establishment as a central theme.
The prepositional phrases מֵאָ֑ז and מֵֽעוֹלָ֣ם provide temporal context, indicating the throne's eternal nature and its establishment from the past.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נָכ֣וֹן as ἕτοιμος (hetoimos), meaning 'ready' or 'prepared.' This choice emphasizes the readiness and established nature of God's throne, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but adding a nuance of preparedness.
The translation of כִּסְאֲךָ as σου (sou) reflects a direct address to God, maintaining the personal relationship expressed in the Hebrew.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 93:2 declares that God's throne was established long ago, affirming His eternal nature. The surrounding verses highlight God's majesty and strength, reminding us of His unshakeable authority over creation.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that God's authority and reign have been in place since the beginning, emphasizing His eternal sovereignty.
This verse highlights God's eternal nature, showing that He has always existed and His reign is everlasting.
The word 'throne' symbolizes God's power and authority, representing His rightful place as sovereign over all creation.
The psalm emphasizes that despite the chaos in the world, God remains firmly in control, highlighting His majesty and strength.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I recognize God's sovereignty in my life?
- How can I trust in God's eternal authority during uncertain times?
- What does it mean for me to acknowledge God's throne in my daily life?
- How can I reflect God's strength and majesty in my actions and words?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers reference this verse to discuss God's eternal nature and authority, highlighting its theological implications.
To sit at the right hand of the Father is a mystery belonging to the incarnation. For it does not befit that incorporeal nature without the assumption of flesh;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 93 →
"Your throne is established from thence, O Lord" [Psalms 93:2]. What is, "from thence"? From that time. As if he said, What is the throne of God? Where does God sit? In His Saints.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 93 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 93:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThy throne is established of old,.... Or "prepared from eternity" (b); Christ was set up and anointed as King from everlasting; he had a kingdom appointed and prepared for him so early; and his
Read John Gill on Psalms 93 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. The Lord reigneth - i:e., the Lord become king - (Psalms 96:10; Psalms 97:1; Psalms 99:1.) The formula proclaimed at the accession of
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 93 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAnd this kingdom of thine is no new or upstart kingdom, as it may seem to the ignorant world, but the most ancient of all kingdoms, being from everlasting to everlasting, although it was not always equally manifested in the world.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 93 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 93:2 Thy throne [is] established of old: thou [art] from everlasting.Ver. 2. Thy throne is established of old] Christ shall reign, utcunque, fremant scelerati, et omnia quantum in se est conturbent, rage the wicked never so, for he is Jehovah, Psalms 93:1, the Eternal: here, - Firma aeternus qui concidet arce.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 93 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. Thy throne is established of old] There never was a time in which God did not reign, in which he was not a supreme and absolute Monarch; for he is from everlasting. There never was a time in which he was not; there never can be a period in which he shall cease to exist.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 93 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. Though Jehovah has thus proclaimed His kingdom afresh, it is no novel thing. His sovereignty and His Being are eternal: they know neither beginning nor end (Psalms 90:2; Psalms 92:8). The contrast between Jehovah’s ever firmly established throne and the tottering order of the world which needs His intervention to reestablish it is in favour of the Massoretic text of Psa 93:1.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 93 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThy throne is established of old - Whatever might occur, the throne of God was firm. That could not be moved. It had been set up from all eternity.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 93 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible2. Thy throne is established of old—Literally, Thy throne is established from then, or, from that time; that is, from the time that thou hast been— from eternity.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 93 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Your throne was established long ago; You are from all eternity.
Your throne is established from long ago. You are from everlasting.
Your throne was established long ago; You are from all eternity.
Your throne has been secure from ancient times; you have always been king.
Tyndale line
Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from everlasting.
Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
Thy throne is established of olde: thou art from euerlasting.
Strictly literal
Thy throne is established of old; thou art from eternity.
Established is Thy throne since then, From the age Thou [art].
Your throne is established since then, || You [are] from the age.
Firmly established is thy throne from the beginning: from everlasting art thou [God].
Your throne is established from ancient times; you are from everlasting.
From the Latin
Lift up thyself, thou that judgest the earth: render a reward to the proud.
Simplified
Your throne has existed from ages past; you are from eternity.
The seat of your power has been from the past; you are eternal.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads נָכ֣וֹן כִּסְאֲךָ֣ מֵאָ֑ז מֵֽעוֹלָ֣ם אָֽתָּה׃, while the Septuagint matches all five words in translation. The Dead Sea Scrolls show agreement with the Masoretic Text, with minor restorations indicating the preservation of the verse's integrity.
נָכ֣וֹן כִּסְאֲךָ֣ מֵאָ֑ז מֵֽעוֹלָ֣ם אָֽתָּה׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
נכון כסא׳כה מאז מעולם [אתה]
3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 1 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 93:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
כּוּן (kuwn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to establish or prepare. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to be firm, to fix, to direct, and to be ready, with applications in both literal and figurative contexts. The entries indicate various forms of the verb, such as Niph'al (to be established) and Hiph'il (to establish), but there is a note on a noun form, נָכוֹן (nakhon), meaning 'blow'.
[כּוּן] 218 vb. prob. be firm, only in der. conj.
Niph.
be set up, established, fixed
in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways
prepare, be ready
pass. be prepared, of judgments
Hiph.
establish, set up
fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift
provide for, provide, furnish
direct one's face toward
arrange, order
Hoph.
be established, of throne
be prepared for
Po‛lēl.
set up, establish
constitute, make, a man (in womb)
fix, so as to be ready
direct
Po‛lal. be established
Hithpo‛l. be established
base
נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow Jb 12:5
ref
H3559a כּוּן prob. be firm, only in der. conj. . . be set up, established, fixed
. in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways
. prepare, be ready
. pass. be prepared, of judgments
. . establish, set up
. . fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift
. provide for, provide, furnish
. direct one's face toward
. arrange, order
. . be established, of throne
. be prepared for
. . set up, establish
. constitute, make, a man (in womb)
. fix, so as to be ready
. direct
. be established
. be established
H3559b נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow
3559 kuwn koon
a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand
perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great
variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper
or prosperous):--certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness,
fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet,
ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self),
provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright,
fast, forth), be stable, (e-)stablish, stand, tarry, X very
deed.
כּוּן (kun) — to establish: prepare.
: prepare/direct
1) to be firm, be stable, be established
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed
1a1a) to be firmly established
1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring
1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined
1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense)
1a3) to prepare, be ready
1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm
1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish
1b3) to direct toward (moral sense)
1b4) to arrange, order
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be established, be fastened
1c2) to be prepared, be ready
1d) (Polel)
1d1) to set up, establish
1d2) to constitute, make
1d3) to fix
1d4) to direct
1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared
1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored
נָכוֹן (na.khon) — blow.
V-Niphal — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine singularHVNrmsa
כִּסֵּא (kis.se) refers to a seat of honour or throne, often associated with royal dignity and authority. It is derived from a root meaning 'covered' and encompasses meanings like stool and seat. The entries consistently highlight its significance in both literal and figurative contexts.
כִּסֵּא, כִּסֵּה 133 n.m. seat of honour, throne
base
H3678 כִּסֵּא, כִּסֵּה seat of honour, throne
3678 kicce' kis-say'
or kicceh {kis-say'}; from 3680; properly, covered, i.e. a
throne (as canopied):--seat, stool, throne.
see HEBREW for 03680
כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — throne.
1) seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool
1a) seat (of honour), throne
1b) royal dignity, authority, power (fig.)
כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — (Hall of) the Throne.
Combined with u.lam (אוּלָם "Hall" H0197I)
This name means throne, seat
כִּסֵּא (kis.se) — throne: seat.
1) seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool
1a) seat (of honour), throne
1b) royal dignity, authority, power (fig.)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
אָז (az) is a demonstrative adverb meaning 'at that time' or 'then,' used for both temporal and logical expressions. It can refer to past events or indicate a condition for future actions. The related form מֵאָז (me.az) means 'from that time' or 'since.' The entries highlight its use in various contexts without significant disagreement.
אָז adv. at that time, then whether expressing duration, or inception (= thereupon).
strictly temporal
expressing logical sequence strictly
base
מֵאָז lit. from that time
base
H227a אָז at that time, then H227b מֵאָז, once
227 'az awz
a demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a
conjunction, therefore:--beginning, for, from, hitherto, now,
of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet.
אָז (az) — then.
1) then, at that time
1a) temporal expressions
1a1) then (past)
1a2) then, if...then (future)
1a3) earlier
1b) logical expressions
1b1) in that case
1b2) that (being so)
מֵאָז (me.az) — the past.
1) in time past, of old
2)from time of, since
Prep | Adv — Preposition · adverbHR/D
עוֹלָם (owlam) refers to concepts of long duration, antiquity, and futurity, encompassing meanings like eternity and perpetual existence. It is derived from a root meaning 'concealed' or 'the vanishing point.' The term is used to describe both ancient times and an indefinite future, indicating continuity and everlastingness.
עוֹלָם 439 n.m. long duration, antiquity, futurity
base
H5769 עוֹלָם long duration, antiquity, futurity
5769 `owlam o-lawm'
or lolam {o-lawm'}; from 5956; properly, concealed, i.e. the
vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future),
i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
(especially with prepositional prefix) always:--alway(-s),
ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for,
(n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of)
old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world
(+ without end). Compare 5331, 5703.
see HEBREW for 05956
see HEBREW for 05331
see HEBREW for 05703
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: enduring.
: enduring/eternal
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — Everlasting.
This name means long duration, everlasting, perpetual
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: any time.
: any_time
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: antiquity.
: old/ancient
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
אַתָּ֫ה (attah) is a second-person pronoun in Hebrew, used to address someone directly. It has masculine and feminine forms: אַתָּה for singular masculine, אַתְּ for singular feminine, אַתֶּם for plural masculine, and אַתֵּן for plural feminine. The entries indicate variations in form and usage, reflecting the pronoun's grammatical complexity.
אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou
base
אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.)
base
אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.)
base
אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.)
base
אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)
base
H859a אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou H859b אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.) H859c אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.) H859d אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.) H859e אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)
859 'attah at-taw'
or (shortened); aatta {at-taw'}; or wath {ath}; feminine
(irregular) sometimes nattiy {at-tee'}; plural masculine attem
{at- tem'}; feminine atten {at-ten'}; or oattenah
{at-tay'naw}; or fattennah {at-tane'-naw}; a primitive pronoun
of the second person; thou and thee, or (plural) ye and
you:--thee, thou, ye, you.
אַתָּ֫ה (at.tah) — you(m.s.).
you (second pers. sing. masc.)
אתִּי (ti) — you(f.s.).
you (second pers. sing. fem.)
A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
אַתְּ (at.te) — you(f.s.).
you (second pers. sing. fem.)
A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
אַתֶּם (at.tem) — you(m.p.).
you (second pers. pl. masc.)
Aramaic equivalent: an.tun (אַנְתּוּן "you" H0608)
אַתֵּן (at.ten) — you(f.p.).
you (second pers. pl. fem.)
A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
Pron — PronounHPp2ms