Psalms 97:11

11 1Light 2is sown[a] for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.

Psalms 97:11 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 97:11

Light is sown for the righteous
Who are made righteous by the obedience of Christ, and live soberly and righteously; the light of joy and gladness, as it is explained in the next clause; see ( Esther 8:16 ) so, (fowv) , "light", is frequently used by Homer F24 for joy and gladness: these sometimes are without it, through the hidings of God's face, the prevalence of corruptions, the force of Satan's temptations, and the many afflictions they meet with; but joy and gladness, peace and comfort, are sown for them in the counsels and purposes of God, in his covenant, in the Scriptures, in the Gospel, and in the promises of it; and, though at present hidden, will spring up in God's due time, ( Psalms 112:4 ) , and which also may be interpreted of the light of glory, which at present does not appear; but it is prepared in the purpose of God, and in his promise, and shall be enjoyed by the heirs of it. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, render it, "light is risen for the righteous"; and so the Targum,

``light is risen and prepared for the righteous;''

Christ, the light of the world, the sun of righteousness, is risen for them, and upon them, with healing in his wings, which bring joy and comfort to them:

and gladness for the upright in heart;
such as have new hearts and right spirits formed in them, and are Israelites indeed, that have the truth of grace and the root of the matter in them: gladness is prepared, provided, and promised to them, and sooner or later they shall have it; the seed of it is sown, and it will spring up, and a large crop shall be enjoyed. Kimchi's note is,

``light is sown for the righteous in this world, and they shall reap light and joy in time to come, in the days of the Messiah.''


FOOTNOTES:

F24 Iliad 6. v. 6. & 8. v. 282. & 16. v. 39.

Psalms 97:11 In-Context

9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
10 O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 112:4; Psalms 118:27; Proverbs 4:18
  • 2. [Proverbs 11:18; Hosea 10:12; James 3:18]

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Most Hebrew manuscripts; one Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint, Syriac, Jerome Light dawns
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.