The Bible: Psalms Chapter 97: with Audio and Commentary.

Version: World English Bible.

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Psalms Chapter 97

1 The LORD reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!

2 Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.

4 His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.

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

6 The heavens declare his righteousness. All the peoples have seen his glory.

7 Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images, who boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion heard and was glad. The daughters of Judah rejoiced because of your judgements, LORD.

9 For you, LORD, are most high above all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods.

10 You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of his saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

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

12 Be glad in the LORD, you righteous people! Give thanks to his holy Name.

Footnotes

Verse 7 (all you gods)
Septuagint reads "angels" instead of "gods".

Version: World English Bible

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Psalms Chapter 97 Guide

The reign of Jehovah, while wholly beneficent in purpose and in ultimate issue, is yet full of terror and of judgment in its process toward the issue. This is also cause for rejoicing.

The method of God’s judgments is described. They are mysterious, "Clouds and darkness are round about Him." They are founded upon strictest justice, "Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne." They are forceful, "A fire goeth before Him."

The effects of His judgments are declared. His adversaries are destroyed, His glory is revealed, His people are filled with joy. The vision of the certainty, method, and victory of the judgments of the King gives rise to a sense of their underlying reason. He is the Holy One, and all wickedness is hateful to Him because of the harm it works among His people, for the fierceness of God’s holiness is ever His love. Therefore let His saints learn the lesson and "hate evil." The promise to those who obey is very full of beauty. "Light is sown ... and gladness." It is a figure of the dawn, shedding its light everywhere. To hate evil is to walk in light. To walk in light is to be able to discover the true pathway leading toward the desired consummation. To walk in that pathway is to have gladness in the heart indeed.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Psalms Chapter 97 Commentary

Chapter Outline

  1. The Lord Jesus reigns in power that cannot be resisted. (1-7)
  2. 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.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.