Initial Impressions: Psalm 97

A first take on this section of the Scriptures:

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;

let the many coastlands be glad!

Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;

righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Fire goes before him

and burns up his adversaries all around.

His lightnings light up the world;

the earth sees and trembles.

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness,

and all the peoples see his glory.

All worshipers of images are put to shame,

who make their boast in worthless idols;

worship him, all you gods!

Zion hears and is glad,

and the daughters of Judah rejoice,

because of your judgments, O Lord.

For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;

you are exalted far above all gods.

O you who love the Lord, hate evil!

He preserves the lives of his saints;

he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Light is sown for the righteous,

and joy for the upright in heart.

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,

and give thanks to his holy name!

The people of the earth should be happy. Those who are made in the image of God should be glad, every one of them, everywhere. Why? Because "the Lord reigns." The King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, the Almighty Savior, the Rescuer of Israel is reigning in the heavens. He is sovereign over all affairs, so "let the earth rejoice"(v. 1)!

His character, however, is not like normal kings. This Ruler is mysterious; shadowy and covered, he conceals his true power. In control of all the elements, as he designed them, he spins webs of smoke to surround himself, and holds in his hands redwoods of fire to display his majestic ability. With his fingers he wields cannons of lightning, and creates reverence among those who see his bright bullets rip the sky. When he allows only a sliver of his presence to show, material things, including human flesh, cannot handle it (Exodus 33:20). Even "mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth" (v. 2-5).

It is not only humans that praise him, though that is certainly the case for those he chooses. No, the heavens themselves sing to him. The planets and heavenly bodies scattered throughout the universe bow their knees to the King of Glory. They hang as beautiful lights in the sky, created without any exhaustion of energy on the Lords part (v. 6).

Those people whose hearts see this reality, who were once following gross and worthless idols, bow their heads. They know of their ignorance, and rightfully mourn. Before, they put their trust in wood and spirits. Now, they tremble before the God who commands legions of light, and their heart stance is prostration. Even the idols they loved yield to him (v. 7).

Gods people look at what their Lord does. Israel gazes in amazement as he creates statutes of justice and they adore him all the more for it. The "daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O LORD," recognizing his absolute sovereignty over all things, his supreme grip on all perceivable reality. They then do what any rational being would do: they praise him as more worthy than idols, as "exalted far above all gods" (v. 8-9). Because of this praise on the part of his people, God blesses them with joy. He bestows on them a fulfillment and peace that is only found in submission to himself. Those who love God have access not only to joy in the present moment, but in heaven forevermore (v. 10-12).

May God bless you richly as you dwell on the awesomeness of his character.

-AJR