Salmos 97

1 JEHOVA reinó: regocíjese la tierra: Alégrense las muchas islas.

2 Nube y oscuridad alrededor de él: Justicia y juicio son el asiento de su trono.

3 Fuego irá delante de él, Y abrasará en derredor sus enemigos.

4 Sus relámpagos alumbraron el mundo: La tierra vió, y estremecióse.

5 Los montes se derritieron como cera delante de Jehová, Delante del Señor de toda la tierra.

6 Los cielos denunciaron su justicia, Y todos los pueblos vieron su gloria.

7 Avergüéncense todos los que sirven á las imágenes de talla, Los que se alaban de los ídolos: Los dioses todos á él se encorven.

8 Oyó Sión, y alegróse; Y las hijas de Judá, Oh Jehová, se gozaron por tus juicios.

9 Porque tú, Jehová, eres alto sobre toda la tierra: Eres muy ensalzado sobre todos los dioses.

10 Los que á Jehová amáis, aborreced el mal: Guarda él las almas de sus santos; De mano de los impíos los libra.

11 Luz está sembrada para el justo, Y alegría para los rectos de corazón.

12 Alegraos, justos, en Jehová: Y alabad la memoria de su santidad.

Salmos 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.''