Psalms 97

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 Gods 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 Mal. 3. 1, 2. & 4. 1, 2. But whatsoever the Psalmist designed or understood, this is certain, that the Holy Ghost meant the last clause of v. 7. of Christ, as is affirmed Heb. 1. 6. 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.

THE LORD reigneth See on Psal. 96. 10., let the earth rejoyce: let the multitude of Isles The Gentile Nations, as this word being used Isai. 42. 4. is expounded Matth. 12. 21. even those which are most remote from Iudaea, (then the only seat of Gods 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 Gen. 10. 5. Isai. 11. 11. & 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 priviledge. be glad thereof.

Clouds and darkness are round about him A dark cloud does encompass him. Wherein he seems to allude to that dark Cloud in which God did antiently so often manifest his presence for the comfort of his Saints, and for the terror and punishment of evil-doers. The design of these words is to describe either 1. the depth and unsearchableness of Gods judgments. Or 2. the obscurity of Christs coming, that the Divine Majesty did vail himself with flesh and came not with that outward splendour which the Jews expected. Or rather 3. the terror of his presence and coming to his Enemies, of which he manifestly speaks in the following Verses; and of which the Prophets frequently speak when they make mention of his coming, as Ioel 2. 31, 22. Mal. 4. 1.: righteousness and judgment i. e. Righteous judgment or righteousness in judgment. are the habitation Or, the foundation or establishment; for the throne is established (and the Hebrew Verb there is the same from whence this word here comes) by righteousness, Prov. 16. 12. All his Decrees and Administrations are grounded upon and managed with righteousness. of his throne.

A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about This fire, and lightning and Earthquake, and the sad effects of them mentioned here, and v. 4, 5. signify those dreadful judgments of God which should be inflicted upon the Jews and others for their refusal and contempt of the Messias; which was foretold in the Old Testament, and accomplished in the New Testament..

His lightnings enlightened the world This phrase signifies not so much illumination as terrour and judgments, as appears both from the following words, and from the constant use of the phrase in that sense, as Psal. 18. 14. and 144. 6. &c.: the earth saw and trembled.

The hills The strongest and loftiest parts of the Earth. Whereby he may understand the great Potentates of the World who set themselves against the Messias. melted like wax at the presence of the LORD: at the presence of the LORD of the whole earth Whose Dominion shall not then be confined to Canaan, as now in a manner it is, but shall be enlarged over the whole Earth..

The heavens Either 1. the thunders and lightnings and tempests sent from Heaven to plead his righteous cause against his Enemies. Or 2. the Angels, yea God himself from Heaven, who gave manifest testimony to the righteousness of the Messias. declare his righteousness: and all the people see his glory Both Jews and Gentiles shall see and feel the glorious effects of his coming..

Confounded be Let them be ashamed of their former folly herein, and be thereby brought to detest and forsake them, and those who will obstinately persist in their impiety and Idolatry, let them be brought to confusion. Or, They shall be confounded: for this may be a prediction and not an imprecation. all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him all ye gods All you whom the Gentiles have made the objects of their worship, and who are capable of giving him worship; which two qualifications agree principally, if not solely, to the Angels of God, whom the Heathens manifestly worshipped in their Images as an inferiour sort of gods, of whom therefore this Text is expounded, Heb. 1. 6..

Zion Thy people dwelling in Zion, or Ierusalem and Iudah, to whom Christ came, and among whom the Gospel was first preached. Or, thy Church and People who both in the Prophetical writings are oft called Zion. heard The fame of thy judgments, as the following words declare, the ruine of Idolatry and the setting up the Kingdom of the Messias in the World., and was glad, and the daughters of Judah Particular Churches or rather persons members of Zion. rejoyced; because of thy judgments Not that they took pleasure in the ruine of others, but because that made way for the advancement of Gods glory and Christs Kingdom in the World., O LORD.

For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods As thou always wert so in in truth, so thou hast now proved and declared thy self to be such in the Eyes of the whole World, by subduing them under thy feet..

Ye that love the LORD O all you who love and worship the true God and his anointed, and rejoice in the establishment of his Kingdom., hate evil Show your love to him by your abhorrency of all Idolatry, which is sometimes called evil or sin by way of eminency, and of all other wickedness.: he preserveth the souls of his saints, he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked And although you that love the Lord Christ and his Kingdom will meet with many troubles and persecutions, yet be not discouraged, for he will preserve you in troubles and in his time deliver you out of them all..

Light i. e. Joy and felicity, as this word is used Esth. 8. 16. Psal. 112. 4. and oft elsewhere. is sown Is prepared or laid up for them, and shall in due time be reaped by them, possibly in this life, but undoubtedly in the next. And therefore bear your afflictions for Christ with patience and chearfulness. for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Rejoyce in the LORD, ye righteous: and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness In consideration of his holy and righteous nature and government, or of his faithfulness in making good that great promise of sending the Messias into the World: for holiness is sometimes taken for faithfulness, which is one part or branch of it..