Psalms 97:1-8

1 God rules: there's something to shout over! On the double, mainlands and islands - celebrate!

2 Bright clouds and storm clouds circle 'round him; Right and justice anchor his rule.

3 Fire blazes out before him, Flaming high up the craggy mountains.

4 His lightnings light up the world; Earth, wide-eyed, trembles in fear.

5 The mountains take one look at God And melt, melt like wax before earth's Lord.

6 The heavens announce that he'll set everything right, And everyone will see it happen - glorious!

7 All who serve handcrafted gods will be sorry - And they were so proud of their ragamuffin gods! On your knees, all you gods - worship him!

8 And Zion, you listen and take heart! Daughters of Zion, sing your hearts out: God has done it all, has set everything right.

Psalms 97:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

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.''