Psalms 97:1-9

1 ADONAI is king, let the earth rejoice, let the many coasts and islands be glad.

2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him, setting ablaze his foes on every side.

4 His flashes of lightning light up the world; the earth sees it and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of ADONAI, at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.

7 All who worship images will be put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols. Bow down to him, all you gods!

8 Tziyon hears and is glad, ADONAI; the daughters of Y'hudah rejoice at your rulings.

9 For you, ADONAI, most high over all the earth, you are exalted far above all gods.

Psalms 97:1-9 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.''