Bible Commentaries
Psalms 97

Verse 1

David. His name occurs not in Hebrew, though the psalm is worthy of him. (Berthier) --- It may refer to the return from captivity, as a figure of the world’s redemption. --- Things. In rescuing his people from slavery, and in the incarnation. (Calmet) --- For him. Or alone. (Menochius) --- Christ raised himself by his own power. (Calmet) (Isaias lxii. 5.) --- He redeemed mankind for his own glory, sibi. (Berthier)

Verse 2

Salvation. Cyrus, or the Messias, whose gospel is preached every where, (Calmet) and who has saved the world. (Worthington)

Verse 3

Israel. The prophets foretold the liberation of the Jew, and of mankind. The blessed Virgin Mary seems to allude to this passage, Luke i. 55. (Calmet) --- Some Jews were converted, Romans xi. (Worthington)

Verse 6

Cornet. This was a crooked horn; the trumpets were of metal, Numbers x. 2. (Calmet)

Verse 8

Hands. These strong oriental expressions hardly suit our language. (Calmet) --- They contain a metaphor, and denote the inhabitants of the world, (Haydock) or those rivers, which spring from Jesus Christ, and mountains, which are raised to heaven by his grace, to praise the Redeemer. (St. Augustine) --- Then the just are exhorted to lift up their heads. (Menochius)

Verse 12

PSALM XCVII. (CANTATE DOMINO.)

All are again invited to praise the Lord, for the victories of Christ.