Psalm 97

1 The Lord reigns, let the earth exult, let many islands rejoice.

2 Cloud, and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the establishment of his throne.

3 Fire shall go before him, and burn up his enemies round about.

4 His lightnings appeared to the world; the earth saw, and trembled.

5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens have declared his righteousness, and all the people have seen his glory.

7 Let all that worship graven images be ashamed, who boast of their idols; worship him, all ye his angels.

8 Sion heard and rejoiced; and the daughters of Judea exulted, because of thy judgments, O Lord.

9 For thou art Lord most high over all the earth; thou art greatly exalted above all gods.

10 Ye that love the Lord, hate evil; the Lord preserves the souls of his saints; he shall deliver them from the hand of sinners.

11 Light is sprung up for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks for a remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 97 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.''