Psalms 97:1

The Lord reigneth,.... He has reigned, now reigns, will and must reign until all enemies are made his footstool; [See comments on Psalms 93:1], [See comments on Psalms 96:10], let the earth rejoice:

The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Psalms 97:1-12.-Yahweh's coming with consuming judgments on the idolatrous world-powers. Such was Assyria, that threatened Judah.

Psalms 97 THE This Psalm seems to have both the same author and the same scope with the former. And although the psalmist might take occasion to pen it from those signal manifestations of God’ s power and righteousness on his behalf, and against his enemies, yet he had a further aim in it, even at the coming of the Messias, which he here describes. And whereas there are two comings of Christ plainly distinguished in the New Testament, these are but confusedly mentioned in the Old Testament; and the prophets sometimes speak of his first coming in words and phrases which seem more properly to agree to the second, as ,2 4:1,2. But whatsoever the psalmist designed or understood, this is certain, that the Holy Ghost meant the last clause of of Christ, as is affirmed, , and therefore it is more than probable that all the rest of the Psalm is to be understood of him, and of his coming and kingdom. A description of the majesty of God’ s kingdom, . The church rejoiceth at his justice and judgment upon idolaters, , with an exhortation to godliness and spiritual rejoicing, . The Lord reigneth; See Poole "". The multitude of isles; the Gentile nations, as this word, being used , is expounded , even those which are most remote from Judea, (then the only seat of God’ s people and worship,) from which they were divided by the sea, or to which they usually went by sea; such places being commonly called isles in Scripture, as 66:19; which being mentioned, because there might be some doubt about them, it is sufficiently implied that those countries which were nearer to them should unquestionably partake of the same privilege.

Psalms 97:1 The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad [thereof].Ver. 1. The Lord reigneth] This is matter of greatest joy to the righteous. Gaudeo quod Christus Dominus est, alioqui totus desperassem, I am glad that Christ is Lord of all; for otherwise I should uttely have been out of hope, saith Miconius, in an Epistle to Calvin, upon the view of the Church’ s enemies. Let the multitudes of isles be glad] As more happy herein than any of those called the Fortunate Islands, or than Cyprus, anciently called Macaria, that, is, The blessed isle, for her abundance of commodities.

(1) The Lord reigneth.—For the thought and imagery comp. Psalms 96:10-11. Multitude of the isles.—Literally, isles many. This wide glance to the westward embracing the isles and coasts of the Mediterranean (Psalms 72:10), possibly even more distant ones still, is characteristic of the literature of post-exile times. (Comp. Isaiah 42:10-11; Isaiah 51:15.)

PSALM XCVII The reign of Jehovah, its nature and blessedness, 1, 2. He is fearful to the wicked, 3-4. Idolaters shall be destroyed, 7. The blessedness of the righteous, 8-12. NOTES ON PSALM XCVII This Psalm has no title either in the Hebrew or Chaldee; and in fourteen of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. it is written as a part of the preceding. In the Vulgate it is thus entitled, Psalmus David, quando terra ejus restituta est. "A Psalm of David when his land was restored;" the meaning of which I suppose to be, after he had obtained possession of the kingdom of Israel and Judah, and became king over all the tribes; or perhaps, after he had gained possession of all those countries which were originally granted to the Israelites in the Divine promise. See 1 Chronicles 18:1-2. The Septuagint is nearly to the same purpose, ὁτιἡγηαυτουκαθισταται, "when his land was established:" so the AEthiopic and Arabic. The Syriac has, "A Psalm of David, in which he predicts the advent of Christ, (i.e., in the flesh,) and through it his last appearing, (i.e., to judgment.") The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, Hebrews 1:6, quotes a part of the seventh verse of this Psalm, and applies it to Christ. Who the author was is uncertain: it is much in the spirit of David's finest compositions; and yet many learned men suppose it was written to celebrate the Lord's power and goodness in the restoration of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity. Verse 1. The Lord reigneth] Here is a simple proposition, which is a self-evident axiom, and requires no proof: JEHOVAH is infinite and eternal; is possessed of unlimited power and unerring wisdom; as he is the Maker, so he must be the Governor, of all things. His authority is absolute, and his government therefore universal. In all places, on all occasions, and in all times, Jehovah reigns. But this supreme King is not only called יהוה YEHOVAH, which signifies his infinite and eternal being, unlimited power, and unerring wisdom; and, as Creator, his universal government; but he is also אדני ADONAI, the Director and Judge. He directs human actions by his word, Spirit, and Providence. Hence are his laws and revelation in general; for the governed should know their governor, and should be acquainted with his laws, and the reasons on which obedience is founded. As Adonai or Director, he shows them the difference between good and evil; and their duty to their God, their neighbours, and themselves: and he finally becomes the Judge of their actions. But as his law is holy, and his commandment holy, just, and good, and man is in a fallen, sinful state; hence he reveals himself as; אלהים ELOHIM, God, entering into a gracious covenant with mankind, to enlighten his darkness, and help his infirmities; that he may see what is just, and be able to do it.

1–3. The proclamation of Jehovah’s kingdom of power and righteousness.

The Lord reigneth - See the notes at Psalms 93:1. This is the general fact to be dwelt upon; this is the foundation of joy and praise. The universe is not without a sovereign. It is not the abode of anarchy.

1. The Lord reigneth—See Psalms 96:10; Psalms 99:1. This is the keynote to the psalm. Earth—The word might signify land—the land of Palestine, but, more probably, the nations generally.