Psalms 97

1 ADONAI is king, let the earth rejoice, let the many coasts and islands be glad.

2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him, setting ablaze his foes on every side.

4 His flashes of lightning light up the world; the earth sees it and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of ADONAI, at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.

7 All who worship images will be put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols. Bow down to him, all you gods!

8 Tziyon hears and is glad, ADONAI; the daughters of Y'hudah rejoice at your rulings.

9 For you, ADONAI, most high over all the earth, you are exalted far above all gods.

10 You who love ADONAI, hate evil! He keeps his faithful servants safe. He rescues them from the power of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in ADONAI, you righteous; and give thanks on recalling his holiness.

Psalms 97 Commentary

Chapter 97

The Lord Jesus reigns in power that cannot be resisted. (1-7) His care of his people, and his provision for them. (8-12)

Verses 1-7 Though many have been made happy in Christ, still there is room. And all have reason to rejoice in Christ's government. There is a depth in his counsels, which we must not pretend to fathom; but still righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Christ's government, though it might be matter of joy to all, will yet be matter of terror to some; but it is their own fault that it is so. The most resolute and daring opposition will be baffled at the presence of the Lord. And the Lord Jesus will ere long come, and put an end to idol worship of every kind.

Verses 8-12 The faithful servants of God may well rejoice and be glad, because he is glorified; and whatever tends to his honour, is his people's pleasure. Care is taken for their safety. But something more is meant than their lives. The Lord will preserve the souls of his saints from sin, from apostacy, and despair, under their greatest trials. He will deliver them out of the hands of the wicked one, and preserve them safe to his heavenly kingdom. And those that rejoice in Christ Jesus, and in his exaltation, have fountains of joy prepared for them. Those that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. Gladness is sure to the upright in heart; the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. Sinners tremble, but saints rejoice at God's holiness. As he hates sin, yet freely loves the person of the repentant sinner who believes in Christ, he will make a final separation between the person he loves and the sin he hates, and sanctify his people wholly, body, soul, and spirit.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 97

This psalm is ascribed to David by the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions. It is of the same argument, and upon the same subject, as the preceding, the coming and kingdom of Christ; and that it respects his first coming into the world, when angels were called upon to worship him, appears from Ps 97:7 compared with Heb 1:6 though it is expressed in such language as seems to agree with his second coming; and, perhaps, both are included, with various things between the one and the other; or it respects the kingdom of Christ, from his first to his second coming; to which agrees the inscription of the Syriac version, which is

``a Psalm of David, in which he prophesies concerning the coming of the Messiah, and again he intimates in it his last appearance.''