Psalms 97

Ps 97 God is greatly exalted over the gods and over all the earth. Awe-inspiring phenomena accompany his coming. Even the created order is visibly affected and the wicked perish, but the people of Zion love his coming and rejoice.97:1 The farthest coastlands represent the most remote parts of the world.

97:2-4 Dark clouds . . . Fire . . . lightning: This language shows that the Lord is coming in judgment.

97:5-7 The created order stirs at the coming of its King. He alone deserves worship.

97:6 As the Lord enters the world, the testimony of his righteousness resounds from above (50:6). • Every nation will view the open display of the Lord’s glory (see 8:1; 19:1-4a; 24:7; Isa 40:5).

97:7 At the Lord’s coming, when every god must bow to him, those who worship other gods will face their own folly (see 95:3-5).

97:8-12 Jerusalem rejoices at the news of the Lord’s coming, for he brings justice and rescues the upright of heart.

97:11 The godly people of integrity (see Prov 2:7, 21; 3:32; 11:6, 11; 14:2), whose hearts are right, maintain a relationship with the Lord and with others (Pss 94:15; 125:4). The wicked plan the downfall of the godly (11:2), but the Lord rescues them (11:1; 36:10). Then the sorrows of the godly turn to joy and praise (32:11; 64:10; 111:1; 119:7).