Psalms 97

Psalms 97:1-12

“ Be Glad in the Lord” Psalms 97:1-12 The keynote here is the reign of God. To the wicked, it spells misery; to the believer, it is the inauguration of harmony and joy. It is as though herald-angels step from isle to isle, from mountain peak to mountain peak, with the glad tidings of great joy. It is not always easy to trace its advent. Clouds and darkness are around him. The eye of sense cannot penetrate the black enclosing pall, but faith is ever certain that righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne. Sometimes God comes in fire, Psalms 97:3, as at Sinai, or on the day of Pentecost, which took place on the anniversary of the giving of the Law. Days come like that on which Jerusalem fell, or when the Turks took Constantinople, or when Napoleon was shattered at Waterloo-then hills melt like wax. But through all dark and terrible dispensations the Kingdom is secretly growing, the Lord is being exalted, and light is being sown for His people, Psalms 97:11. So, believer, your tears and fightings, as they pass, are absorbing heaven’ s love and power, which they will hold in reserve though buried for long in the dark. Days are at hand of unspeakable gladness. Be of good cheer.

Let the earth rejoice! The reign of Christ affects all material things. Alas that men are so slow to acknowledge it (Psalms 97:1-6)! The votaries of false gods are bewildered (Psalms 97:7); but the people of God are glad and are encouraged to endure steadfast to the end (Psalms 97:8-12).

Psalms 97:1. The Lord reigneth! How different is the Psalmist’s exultation at God’s reign, to the fear which many have when asked to yield Him the supreme empire of their hearts! (Luke 19:14). And yet the strain of Hallelujah is impossible till it can be said in heart and universe, “The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6).

Psalms 97:2. Clouds and darkness are often around God still (Deuteronomy 4:11; Psalms 18:11); but we can trust Him, because we know that all He does is based on righteousness and truth (see 2 Samuel 22:12).

Psalms 97:4-5. The earth trembled: the hills melted. Compare Habakkuk 3:6-7. Psalms 97:7. Worship Him, all ye gods This is quoted in the Epistle to the Hebrews as an address to Angels (Hebrews 1:6), a circumstance which is doubtless owing to the quotation being made from the Septuagint. And the fact of this Psalm being there applied to our Lord is a striking evidence of his equality and oneness with Jehovah. Thus we can insert his name in all these Psalms. “The Lord Jesus reigneth!”

Psalms 97:8-12. Zion was glad! Rejoice, ye righteous! The kingdom of Jesus, like the pillar of fire, has a dark side for Egyptians and a bright one toward the Israel of God.

Psalms 97:10. He preserved! He Delivereth! The character, safety and deliverance of the child of God. Herein the great Apostle rejoiced (2 Timothy 4:18).

Psalms 97:11. Light is sown for the upright Coal is sown light in the natural world. Tears, griefs, trials, are the seeds from which the saints shall reap crops of future blessedness. But the harvest day is not yet (Hebrews 12:11; James 5:7-8).

Psalms 97:12. Rejoice! Give thanks! The holiness of God, which was once again us, is now on our side and is the theme of our praise.