Psalm 97 comments; the Lord reigns!

 

Psalm 97:1 ¶  The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. 2  Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. 3  A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. 4  His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. 5  The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 6  The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. 7  Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

 

Is this not an indication that when sin is banished from the universe and God reigns supreme and has made His point and has reconciled that part of mankind that would be reconciled to Himself that very nature itself will rejoice?

 

This Psalm is traditionally ascribed to David and Christian writers have said that as the last Psalm heralds His first, this Psalm heralds His second advent. God’s appearance is described here as it is in Exodus in a frightening and awe-inspiring manner.

 

Exodus 19:9 ¶  And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD…16 ¶  And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

 

See the awesome terror of the Lord God.

 

Psalm 18:8  There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

 

Deuteronomy 4:11  And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness…36  Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.

 

Nahum 1:5  The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

 

Look above you at the sky. The heavens declare His glory.

 

Psalm 19:1 ¶  «To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.» The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

 

God will not permit the heathen to thrive forever. He abhors all idol worship.

 

Leviticus 26:1 ¶  Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.

 

When Christ returns to rule the earth His power is made manifest.

 

Revelation 19:11 ¶  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

Psalm 97:8 ¶  Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. 9  For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods. 10  Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. 11  Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12  Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

 

All powers in heaven and earth, all spiritual powers even, are subject to God the Creator. Here is a promise to the Hebrew for safety and security which is linked to their obedience and the Christian whose soul has been preserved from the hand of Satan, the Adversary.

 

Here again is a promise for us to consider that light is planted within us like seed in a field. God’s word is sown in our hearts filled with rejoicing. We rejoice in the Lord our Saviour and give thanks if we are true.