Psalms 97:1-10

1 (96-1) <For the same David, when his land was restored again to him.> The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad.

2 (96-2) Clouds and darkness are round about him: justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.

3 (96-3) A fire shall go before him, and shall burn his enemies round about.

4 (96-4) His lightnings have shone forth to the world: the earth saw and trembled.

5 (96-5) The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord: at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.

6 (96-6) The heavens declared his justice: and all people saw his glory.

7 (96-7) Let them be all confounded that adore graven things, and that glory in their idols. Adore him, all you his angels:

8 (96-8) Sion heard, and was glad. And the daughters of Juda rejoiced, because of thy judgments, O Lord.

9 (96-9) For thou art the most high Lord over all the earth: thou art exalted exceedingly above all gods.

10 (96-10) You that love the Lord, hate evil: the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints, he will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner.

Psalms 97:1-10 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.''