Psalms 120

Psalms 120:1

Introduction

In Psalms 97, the last verse of the previous psalm is discussed at length, pointing to the coming of the Messiah (Psalms 96:13). In the psalm we now have before us, the Messiah appears. This event and its consequences are sung about here. The message to Mary about the reign of the Son she will receive is prophetically presented (Luke 1:32).

Isaiah exclaims: “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news … [and] “says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”” [or: “Your God is King”] (Isaiah 52:7; cf. Psalms 93:1). Already in Psalms 96, this message was passed on by Zion to the world: “The LORD is King” (Psalms 96:10). This is now further explored in Psalms 97 and Psalms 99. Accordingly, both psalms begin with the exclamation: “The LORD [Yahweh] reigns [or: is King]” (Psalms 97:1; Psalms 99:1; cf. Revelation 19:6; Revelation 11:15-17).

The LORD Reigns

The psalmist exclaims that “the LORD reigns” [literally, “Yahweh is King”] (Psalms 97:1). He sits on the throne. The universe is not ruled by natural laws or the authority of an evil power. There is a sovereign Ruler, Who is wise, holy, just and sensible. Therefore: “Let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad.” To do this they are called. The many islands are mentioned separately because they are far away (Jeremiah 31:10). But they too may rejoice, for the blessing of the Messiah’s reign comes to them as well. The LORD is not only King over Israel, He is the King of kings, He rules over the whole earth.

The LORD, that is the Messiah, envelops Himself in “clouds and thick darkness” (Psalms 97:2). These features indicate that what He does cannot be followed by humans. How could mortal men understand Him in His inimitable judicial acts? They will acknowledge them, without realizing their depth. This does not mean that in Him there is darkness. God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5; Psalms 104:2; 1 Timothy 6:16). Creatures cannot fathom that light. To us humans, therefore, He is surrounded by dark clouds.

He rules in “righteousness and justice”. His rule is perfect. A judicial error does not occur, let alone a twisting of the law. “The foundation of His throne” consists precisely in the exercise of utter justice. His government will be salutary after all the corrupt governments of which the world has been full before His coming. His kingdom is not founded on arbitrariness, as is so often the case with governments today, but on righteousness and justice. Therefore, His reign endures forever (Proverbs 16:12; Proverbs 25:5).

He not only pronounces righteous judgments, but also executes them. We see this in the “fire” that “goes before Him” (Psalms 97:3). Fire here represents the consuming judgment on sin (cf. Leviticus 10:1-2). God is a consuming fire, both in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 4:24) and in the New Testament (Hebrews 12:29). His holiness does not tolerate sin in His presence (cf. 1 Peter 1:16). That is what “His adversaries” will experience when He “burns up … round about” (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Psalms 68:2).

In addition to the flame around Him that consumes everything that does not submit to His holiness, there are “His lightnings” (Psalms 97:4). Lightning flashes also make a deep impression. They lit up the world and reveal everything in it. They are the sudden, inimitable deliverers of God’s judgments. “The earth saw and trembled”, for they are terrifying and irresistible. Such an outpouring of power the earth has never seen.

“The mountains”, symbols of stability and immobility, “melted like wax at the presence of the LORD” (Psalms 97:5; cf. Micah 1:4). That consuming is His appearance. Nothing will stand when He appears and judges. This judgment belongs to Him because He is “the Lord of the whole earth”. He is Adonai, the sovereign Ruler of the universe Who shows His presence to the earth.

Psalms 120:2

Introduction

In Psalms 97, the last verse of the previous psalm is discussed at length, pointing to the coming of the Messiah (Psalms 96:13). In the psalm we now have before us, the Messiah appears. This event and its consequences are sung about here. The message to Mary about the reign of the Son she will receive is prophetically presented (Luke 1:32).

Isaiah exclaims: “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news … [and] “says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”” [or: “Your God is King”] (Isaiah 52:7; cf. Psalms 93:1). Already in Psalms 96, this message was passed on by Zion to the world: “The LORD is King” (Psalms 96:10). This is now further explored in Psalms 97 and Psalms 99. Accordingly, both psalms begin with the exclamation: “The LORD [Yahweh] reigns [or: is King]” (Psalms 97:1; Psalms 99:1; cf. Revelation 19:6; Revelation 11:15-17).

The LORD Reigns

The psalmist exclaims that “the LORD reigns” [literally, “Yahweh is King”] (Psalms 97:1). He sits on the throne. The universe is not ruled by natural laws or the authority of an evil power. There is a sovereign Ruler, Who is wise, holy, just and sensible. Therefore: “Let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad.” To do this they are called. The many islands are mentioned separately because they are far away (Jeremiah 31:10). But they too may rejoice, for the blessing of the Messiah’s reign comes to them as well. The LORD is not only King over Israel, He is the King of kings, He rules over the whole earth.

The LORD, that is the Messiah, envelops Himself in “clouds and thick darkness” (Psalms 97:2). These features indicate that what He does cannot be followed by humans. How could mortal men understand Him in His inimitable judicial acts? They will acknowledge them, without realizing their depth. This does not mean that in Him there is darkness. God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5; Psalms 104:2; 1 Timothy 6:16). Creatures cannot fathom that light. To us humans, therefore, He is surrounded by dark clouds.

He rules in “righteousness and justice”. His rule is perfect. A judicial error does not occur, let alone a twisting of the law. “The foundation of His throne” consists precisely in the exercise of utter justice. His government will be salutary after all the corrupt governments of which the world has been full before His coming. His kingdom is not founded on arbitrariness, as is so often the case with governments today, but on righteousness and justice. Therefore, His reign endures forever (Proverbs 16:12; Proverbs 25:5).

He not only pronounces righteous judgments, but also executes them. We see this in the “fire” that “goes before Him” (Psalms 97:3). Fire here represents the consuming judgment on sin (cf. Leviticus 10:1-2). God is a consuming fire, both in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 4:24) and in the New Testament (Hebrews 12:29). His holiness does not tolerate sin in His presence (cf. 1 Peter 1:16). That is what “His adversaries” will experience when He “burns up … round about” (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Psalms 68:2).

In addition to the flame around Him that consumes everything that does not submit to His holiness, there are “His lightnings” (Psalms 97:4). Lightning flashes also make a deep impression. They lit up the world and reveal everything in it. They are the sudden, inimitable deliverers of God’s judgments. “The earth saw and trembled”, for they are terrifying and irresistible. Such an outpouring of power the earth has never seen.

“The mountains”, symbols of stability and immobility, “melted like wax at the presence of the LORD” (Psalms 97:5; cf. Micah 1:4). That consuming is His appearance. Nothing will stand when He appears and judges. This judgment belongs to Him because He is “the Lord of the whole earth”. He is Adonai, the sovereign Ruler of the universe Who shows His presence to the earth.

Psalms 120:3

Introduction

In Psalms 97, the last verse of the previous psalm is discussed at length, pointing to the coming of the Messiah (Psalms 96:13). In the psalm we now have before us, the Messiah appears. This event and its consequences are sung about here. The message to Mary about the reign of the Son she will receive is prophetically presented (Luke 1:32).

Isaiah exclaims: “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news … [and] “says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”” [or: “Your God is King”] (Isaiah 52:7; cf. Psalms 93:1). Already in Psalms 96, this message was passed on by Zion to the world: “The LORD is King” (Psalms 96:10). This is now further explored in Psalms 97 and Psalms 99. Accordingly, both psalms begin with the exclamation: “The LORD [Yahweh] reigns [or: is King]” (Psalms 97:1; Psalms 99:1; cf. Revelation 19:6; Revelation 11:15-17).

The LORD Reigns

The psalmist exclaims that “the LORD reigns” [literally, “Yahweh is King”] (Psalms 97:1). He sits on the throne. The universe is not ruled by natural laws or the authority of an evil power. There is a sovereign Ruler, Who is wise, holy, just and sensible. Therefore: “Let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad.” To do this they are called. The many islands are mentioned separately because they are far away (Jeremiah 31:10). But they too may rejoice, for the blessing of the Messiah’s reign comes to them as well. The LORD is not only King over Israel, He is the King of kings, He rules over the whole earth.

The LORD, that is the Messiah, envelops Himself in “clouds and thick darkness” (Psalms 97:2). These features indicate that what He does cannot be followed by humans. How could mortal men understand Him in His inimitable judicial acts? They will acknowledge them, without realizing their depth. This does not mean that in Him there is darkness. God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5; Psalms 104:2; 1 Timothy 6:16). Creatures cannot fathom that light. To us humans, therefore, He is surrounded by dark clouds.

He rules in “righteousness and justice”. His rule is perfect. A judicial error does not occur, let alone a twisting of the law. “The foundation of His throne” consists precisely in the exercise of utter justice. His government will be salutary after all the corrupt governments of which the world has been full before His coming. His kingdom is not founded on arbitrariness, as is so often the case with governments today, but on righteousness and justice. Therefore, His reign endures forever (Proverbs 16:12; Proverbs 25:5).

He not only pronounces righteous judgments, but also executes them. We see this in the “fire” that “goes before Him” (Psalms 97:3). Fire here represents the consuming judgment on sin (cf. Leviticus 10:1-2). God is a consuming fire, both in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 4:24) and in the New Testament (Hebrews 12:29). His holiness does not tolerate sin in His presence (cf. 1 Peter 1:16). That is what “His adversaries” will experience when He “burns up … round about” (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Psalms 68:2).

In addition to the flame around Him that consumes everything that does not submit to His holiness, there are “His lightnings” (Psalms 97:4). Lightning flashes also make a deep impression. They lit up the world and reveal everything in it. They are the sudden, inimitable deliverers of God’s judgments. “The earth saw and trembled”, for they are terrifying and irresistible. Such an outpouring of power the earth has never seen.

“The mountains”, symbols of stability and immobility, “melted like wax at the presence of the LORD” (Psalms 97:5; cf. Micah 1:4). That consuming is His appearance. Nothing will stand when He appears and judges. This judgment belongs to Him because He is “the Lord of the whole earth”. He is Adonai, the sovereign Ruler of the universe Who shows His presence to the earth.

Psalms 120:4

Introduction

In Psalms 97, the last verse of the previous psalm is discussed at length, pointing to the coming of the Messiah (Psalms 96:13). In the psalm we now have before us, the Messiah appears. This event and its consequences are sung about here. The message to Mary about the reign of the Son she will receive is prophetically presented (Luke 1:32).

Isaiah exclaims: “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news … [and] “says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”” [or: “Your God is King”] (Isaiah 52:7; cf. Psalms 93:1). Already in Psalms 96, this message was passed on by Zion to the world: “The LORD is King” (Psalms 96:10). This is now further explored in Psalms 97 and Psalms 99. Accordingly, both psalms begin with the exclamation: “The LORD [Yahweh] reigns [or: is King]” (Psalms 97:1; Psalms 99:1; cf. Revelation 19:6; Revelation 11:15-17).

The LORD Reigns

The psalmist exclaims that “the LORD reigns” [literally, “Yahweh is King”] (Psalms 97:1). He sits on the throne. The universe is not ruled by natural laws or the authority of an evil power. There is a sovereign Ruler, Who is wise, holy, just and sensible. Therefore: “Let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad.” To do this they are called. The many islands are mentioned separately because they are far away (Jeremiah 31:10). But they too may rejoice, for the blessing of the Messiah’s reign comes to them as well. The LORD is not only King over Israel, He is the King of kings, He rules over the whole earth.

The LORD, that is the Messiah, envelops Himself in “clouds and thick darkness” (Psalms 97:2). These features indicate that what He does cannot be followed by humans. How could mortal men understand Him in His inimitable judicial acts? They will acknowledge them, without realizing their depth. This does not mean that in Him there is darkness. God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5; Psalms 104:2; 1 Timothy 6:16). Creatures cannot fathom that light. To us humans, therefore, He is surrounded by dark clouds.

He rules in “righteousness and justice”. His rule is perfect. A judicial error does not occur, let alone a twisting of the law. “The foundation of His throne” consists precisely in the exercise of utter justice. His government will be salutary after all the corrupt governments of which the world has been full before His coming. His kingdom is not founded on arbitrariness, as is so often the case with governments today, but on righteousness and justice. Therefore, His reign endures forever (Proverbs 16:12; Proverbs 25:5).

He not only pronounces righteous judgments, but also executes them. We see this in the “fire” that “goes before Him” (Psalms 97:3). Fire here represents the consuming judgment on sin (cf. Leviticus 10:1-2). God is a consuming fire, both in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 4:24) and in the New Testament (Hebrews 12:29). His holiness does not tolerate sin in His presence (cf. 1 Peter 1:16). That is what “His adversaries” will experience when He “burns up … round about” (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Psalms 68:2).

In addition to the flame around Him that consumes everything that does not submit to His holiness, there are “His lightnings” (Psalms 97:4). Lightning flashes also make a deep impression. They lit up the world and reveal everything in it. They are the sudden, inimitable deliverers of God’s judgments. “The earth saw and trembled”, for they are terrifying and irresistible. Such an outpouring of power the earth has never seen.

“The mountains”, symbols of stability and immobility, “melted like wax at the presence of the LORD” (Psalms 97:5; cf. Micah 1:4). That consuming is His appearance. Nothing will stand when He appears and judges. This judgment belongs to Him because He is “the Lord of the whole earth”. He is Adonai, the sovereign Ruler of the universe Who shows His presence to the earth.

Psalms 120:5

Introduction

In Psalms 97, the last verse of the previous psalm is discussed at length, pointing to the coming of the Messiah (Psalms 96:13). In the psalm we now have before us, the Messiah appears. This event and its consequences are sung about here. The message to Mary about the reign of the Son she will receive is prophetically presented (Luke 1:32).

Isaiah exclaims: “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news … [and] “says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”” [or: “Your God is King”] (Isaiah 52:7; cf. Psalms 93:1). Already in Psalms 96, this message was passed on by Zion to the world: “The LORD is King” (Psalms 96:10). This is now further explored in Psalms 97 and Psalms 99. Accordingly, both psalms begin with the exclamation: “The LORD [Yahweh] reigns [or: is King]” (Psalms 97:1; Psalms 99:1; cf. Revelation 19:6; Revelation 11:15-17).

The LORD Reigns

The psalmist exclaims that “the LORD reigns” [literally, “Yahweh is King”] (Psalms 97:1). He sits on the throne. The universe is not ruled by natural laws or the authority of an evil power. There is a sovereign Ruler, Who is wise, holy, just and sensible. Therefore: “Let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad.” To do this they are called. The many islands are mentioned separately because they are far away (Jeremiah 31:10). But they too may rejoice, for the blessing of the Messiah’s reign comes to them as well. The LORD is not only King over Israel, He is the King of kings, He rules over the whole earth.

The LORD, that is the Messiah, envelops Himself in “clouds and thick darkness” (Psalms 97:2). These features indicate that what He does cannot be followed by humans. How could mortal men understand Him in His inimitable judicial acts? They will acknowledge them, without realizing their depth. This does not mean that in Him there is darkness. God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5; Psalms 104:2; 1 Timothy 6:16). Creatures cannot fathom that light. To us humans, therefore, He is surrounded by dark clouds.

He rules in “righteousness and justice”. His rule is perfect. A judicial error does not occur, let alone a twisting of the law. “The foundation of His throne” consists precisely in the exercise of utter justice. His government will be salutary after all the corrupt governments of which the world has been full before His coming. His kingdom is not founded on arbitrariness, as is so often the case with governments today, but on righteousness and justice. Therefore, His reign endures forever (Proverbs 16:12; Proverbs 25:5).

He not only pronounces righteous judgments, but also executes them. We see this in the “fire” that “goes before Him” (Psalms 97:3). Fire here represents the consuming judgment on sin (cf. Leviticus 10:1-2). God is a consuming fire, both in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 4:24) and in the New Testament (Hebrews 12:29). His holiness does not tolerate sin in His presence (cf. 1 Peter 1:16). That is what “His adversaries” will experience when He “burns up … round about” (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Psalms 68:2).

In addition to the flame around Him that consumes everything that does not submit to His holiness, there are “His lightnings” (Psalms 97:4). Lightning flashes also make a deep impression. They lit up the world and reveal everything in it. They are the sudden, inimitable deliverers of God’s judgments. “The earth saw and trembled”, for they are terrifying and irresistible. Such an outpouring of power the earth has never seen.

“The mountains”, symbols of stability and immobility, “melted like wax at the presence of the LORD” (Psalms 97:5; cf. Micah 1:4). That consuming is His appearance. Nothing will stand when He appears and judges. This judgment belongs to Him because He is “the Lord of the whole earth”. He is Adonai, the sovereign Ruler of the universe Who shows His presence to the earth.

Psalms 120:6

All Gods Worship Him

When the LORD appears, He comes from heaven, where everything is in accordance with “His righteousness” (Psalms 97:6). He is Himself the declaration of heaven. “All the peoples” on earth will see “His glory” when He appears. When the LORD appears, He will come as “a righteous God and a Savior” [or “a Redeemer”, literal translation] (Isaiah 45:21). This means that the justice or righteousness of God will be seen in His acts of redemption.

His appearance also includes judgment on those “who serve graven images” and “boast themselves of idols” (Psalms 97:7). It will bring shame on them. They, in their folly, have lowered themselves to idolatry and have boasted of their self-made idols. Those would help them, they thought.

In doing so, they have defied God and denied Him. When they come face to face with the true God, there is nothing left of their senseless reliance on their idols (Isaiah 2:20). “All … gods” to whom they have worshiped must worship the LORD. “Gods” are all kinds of authority figures, in the visible and the invisible world (cf. Daniel 10:13; 20-21). Here angels are meant first and foremost, as is evident from the quotation of this phrase in the letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 1:6).

Psalms 120:7

All Gods Worship Him

When the LORD appears, He comes from heaven, where everything is in accordance with “His righteousness” (Psalms 97:6). He is Himself the declaration of heaven. “All the peoples” on earth will see “His glory” when He appears. When the LORD appears, He will come as “a righteous God and a Savior” [or “a Redeemer”, literal translation] (Isaiah 45:21). This means that the justice or righteousness of God will be seen in His acts of redemption.

His appearance also includes judgment on those “who serve graven images” and “boast themselves of idols” (Psalms 97:7). It will bring shame on them. They, in their folly, have lowered themselves to idolatry and have boasted of their self-made idols. Those would help them, they thought.

In doing so, they have defied God and denied Him. When they come face to face with the true God, there is nothing left of their senseless reliance on their idols (Isaiah 2:20). “All … gods” to whom they have worshiped must worship the LORD. “Gods” are all kinds of authority figures, in the visible and the invisible world (cf. Daniel 10:13; 20-21). Here angels are meant first and foremost, as is evident from the quotation of this phrase in the letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 1:6).