Bible Commentaries
Psalms 97

Verses 1-12

Psalms 97

The Lord Reigneth

Scripture v. 1-12:

Verse 1 announces that the Lord reigneth, which calls for the earth to rejoice and all the maritime regions, coastlines of the world, to be glad at His coming, Luke 1:32-33; Isaiah 60:9.

Verse 2 states that clouds and darkness are round about the Lord and righteousness and judgment are the habitation (basis of establishment) of His throne; This is drawn from David’s Psalms 18:9; Psalms 18:11; which rests on the lightning, thunder, and dark clouds that accompanied the giving of the Law, Exodus 19:16; Exodus 19:18; Deuteronomy 5:22; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Psalms 89:14.

Verses 3-5 add that a fire of His flaming wrath precedes Him, burning or consuming His enemies, Psalms 18:8; Psalms 18:1. In this it is related that His lightnings enlightened the world, so that the earth, her people, saw and trembled; And the hills melted like wax at the appearance and in the presence of the Lord-Superior of all the earth, as related Exodus 20:21; Exodus 24:16; 1 Kings 8:10; 1 Kings 8:12; Psalms 18:11-12; Psalms 77:19; Daniel 7:10; Habakkuk 3:5. See also Micah 1:4; Micah 4:13; 1 Peter 4:17.

Verse 6 declares that the heavens declare his righteousness, all the people observe his glory, as when fire and brimstone fell on Sodom, Genesis 19:24; Isaiah 40:5; See too Psalms 19:1-4.

Verse 7 announces that all shall be confounded (brought to vanity) who serve graven images, lifeless idols, who boast themselves of their idols, as described Exodus 20:4; Leviticus 26:1; Isaiah 37:18-19; Isaiah 41:29; Jeremiah 10:14. Then all the "gods" rulers of the people, Exodus 22:28, are called to worship the reigning Messiah-King, Hebrews 1:9; 1 Corinthians 15:24-25; Philippians 2:9.

Verse 8 relates that, "Zion heard and was glad" of God’s righteous judgments, v. 3, while the idol worshippers were confounded, v. 7; Revelation 15:3-4; Psalms 48:11. It is added that the daughters of Judah also rejoiced because of the righteous judgment of the Lord; So shall it be hereafter, Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 2:16.

Verse 9 declares "For thou Lord art high (exalted) above all of the earth; thou dost exist exalted far, above all gods," who are rulers of the people, and above the deaf, dumb, blind, lifeless idols, Psalms 95:3; Psalms 94; Psalms 4; Psalms 115:4-9; Exodus 18:11.

Verse 10 addresses those who love the Lord, charging them to hate evil; For the Lord "preserveth the . souls of his saints;" he continually liberates them from the hand of the wicked, giving them His security, Psalms 31:23; Psalms 37:28; Psalms 145:20; Proverbs 2:8. In spite of the seeming prosperity of the wicked, it is the soul of the saint (true worshipper and servant of God) that is preserved, Psalms 34:13-14; Romans 12:9; 2 Timothy 2:19; John 10:28-29; 1 John 5:13. In Him is security, John 5:24. See also 1 Samuel 2:9; Daniel 3:28; Daniel 6:27, which declare that the Lord delivers them out of and away from the hand of the wicked.

Verse 11 states that "light is sown for the righteous," much as seed is scattered abroad, as the sun sows abroad his beams. God’s light is ever given to the righteous, who study His word; and each is blessed who bears it to others, Psalms 119:105; Psalms 119:130; Matthew 5:15-16.

Verse 12 concludes by calling the righteous to rejoice and give thanks at the remembrance or recall of the holiness of God, which He has given to every believer, thru faith in Jesus Christ, His Son, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Psalms 32:11; Psalms 30:4. Our thanksgiving for His salvation and goodness should be a continual memorial to Him, 2 Corinthians 9:15.