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Psalms 97:1-12 King James Version (KJV)

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1 The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.

9 For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalms 97:1-12 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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1 The LORD H3068 reigneth; H4427 let the earth H776 rejoice; H1523 let the multitude H7227 of isles H339 be glad H8055 thereof.

2 Clouds H6051 and darkness H6205 are round about H5439 him: righteousness H6664 and judgment H4941 are the habitation H4349 of his throne. H3678

3 A fire H784 goeth H3212 before H6440 him, and burneth up H3857 his enemies H6862 round about. H5439

4 His lightnings H1300 enlightened H215 the world: H8398 the earth H776 saw, H7200 and trembled. H2342

5 The hills H2022 melted H4549 like wax H1749 at the presence H6440 of the LORD, H3068 at the presence H6440 of the Lord H113 of the whole earth. H776

6 The heavens H8064 declare H5046 his righteousness, H6664 and all the people H5971 see H7200 his glory. H3519

7 Confounded H954 be all they that serve H5647 graven images, H6459 that boast H1984 themselves of idols: H457 worship H7812 him, all ye gods. H430

8 Zion H6726 heard, H8085 and was glad; H8055 and the daughters H1323 of Judah H3063 rejoiced H1523 because of thy judgments, H4941 O LORD. H3068

9 For thou, LORD, H3068 art high above H5945 all the earth: H776 thou art exalted H5927 far above H3966 all gods. H430

10 Ye that love H157 the LORD, H3068 hate H8130 evil: H7451 he preserveth H8104 the souls H5315 of his saints; H2623 he delivereth H5337 them out of the hand H3027 of the wicked. H7563

11 Light H216 is sown H2232 for the righteous, H6662 and gladness H8057 for the upright H3477 in heart. H3820

12 Rejoice H8055 in the LORD, H3068 ye righteous; H6662 and give thanks H3034 at the remembrance H2143 of his holiness. H6944

Psalms 97:1-12 American Standard (ASV)

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1 Jehovah reigneth; let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad.

2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 A fire goeth before him, And burneth up his adversaries round about.

4 His lightnings lightened the world: The earth saw, and trembled.

5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of Jehovah, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens declare his righteousness, And all the peoples have seen his glory.

7 Let all them be put to shame that serve graven images, That boast themselves of idols: Worship him, all ye gods.

8 Zion heard and was glad, And the daughters of Judah rejoiced, Because of thy judgments, O Jehovah.

9 For thou, Jehovah, art most high above all the earth: Thou art exalted far above all gods.

10 O ye that love Jehovah, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.

12 Be glad in Jehovah, ye righteous; And give thanks to his holy memorial `name'. Psalm 98 A Psalm.

Psalms 97:1-12 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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1 Jehovah hath reigned, The earth is joyful, many isles rejoice.

2 Cloud and darkness `are' round about Him, Righteousness and judgment the basis of His throne.

3 Fire before Him goeth, And burneth round about His adversaries.

4 Lightened have His lightnings the world, The earth hath seen, and is pained.

5 Hills, like wax, melted before Jehovah, Before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens declared His righteousness, And all the peoples have seen His honour.

7 Ashamed are all servants of a graven image, Those boasting themselves in idols, Bow yourselves to him, all ye gods.

8 Zion hath heard and rejoiceth, And daughters of Judah are joyful, Because of Thy judgments, O Jehovah.

9 For Thou, Jehovah, `art' Most High over all the earth, Greatly Thou hast been exalted over all gods.

10 Ye who love Jehovah, hate evil, He is keeping the souls of His saints, From the hand of the wicked he delivereth them.

11 Light `is' sown for the righteous, And for the upright of heart -- joy.

12 Rejoice, ye righteous, in Jehovah, And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness!

Psalms 97:1-12 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

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1 Jehovah reigneth: let the earth be glad, let the many isles rejoice.

2 Clouds and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the foundation of his throne.

3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his adversaries round about.

4 His lightnings lightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of Jehovah, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.

7 Ashamed be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols. Worship him, all ye gods.

8 Zion heard, and rejoiced; and the daughters of Judah were glad, because of thy judgments, O Jehovah.

9 For thou, Jehovah, art the Most High above all the earth; thou art exalted exceedingly above all gods.

10 Ye that love Jehovah, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints, he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in Jehovah, ye righteous; and give thanks in remembrance of his holiness.

Psalms 97:1-12 World English Bible (WEB)

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1 Yahweh reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!

2 Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 A fire goes before him, And burns up his adversaries on every side.

4 His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Yahweh, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens declare his righteousness. All the peoples have seen his glory.

7 Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images, Who boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion heard and was glad. The daughters of Judah rejoiced, Because of your judgments, Yahweh.

9 For you, Yahweh, are most high above all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods.

10 You who love Yahweh, hate evil. He preserves the souls of his saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.

12 Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous people! Give thanks to his holy Name.

Psalms 97:1-12 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

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1 The Lord is King, let the earth have joy; let all the sea-lands be glad.

2 Dark clouds are round him; his kingdom is based on righteousness and right judging.

3 Fire goes before him, burning up all those who are against him round about.

4 His bright flames give light to the world; the earth saw it with fear.

5 The mountains became like wax at the coming of the Lord, at the coming of the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens gave out the news of his righteousness, and all the people saw his glory.

7 Shamed be all those who give worship to images, and take pride in false gods; give him worship, all you gods.

8 Zion gave ear and was glad; and the daughters of Judah were full of joy, because of your decisions, O Lord.

9 For you, Lord, are most high over the earth; you are lifted up over all other gods.

10 You who are lovers of the Lord, be haters of evil; he keeps the souls of his saints; he takes them out of the hand of sinners.

11 Light is shining on the lovers of righteousness, and for the upright in heart there is joy.

12 Be glad in the Lord, you upright men; praising the memory of his holy name.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Psalms 97

Commentary on Psalms 97 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Keil & Delitzsch   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Psalm 97

This psalm dwells upon the same subject, and is set to the same tune, with the foregoing psalm. Christ is the Alpha and the Omega of both; they are both penned, and are both to be sung to his honour; and we make nothing of them if we do not, in them, make melody with our hearts to the Lord Jesus. He it is that reigns, to the joy of all mankind (v. 1); and his government speaks,

  • I. Terror to his enemies; for he is a prince of inflexible justice and irresistible power (v. 2-7).
  • II. Comfort to his friends and loyal subjects, arising from his sovereign dominion, the care he takes of his people, and the provision he makes for them (v. 8-12).

In singing this psalm we must be affected with the glory of the exalted Redeemer, must dread the lot of his enemies, and think ourselves happy if we are of those that "kiss the son.'

Psa 97:1-7

What was to be said among the heathen in the foregoing psalm (v. 10) is here said again (v. 1) and is made the subject of this psalm, and of psalm 99. The Lord reigns; that is the great truth here laid down. The Lord Jehovah reigns, he that made the world governs it; he that gave being gives motion and power, gives law and commission, gives success and event. Every man's judgment proceeds from the Lord, from his counsel and providence, and in all affairs, both public and private, he performs the thing which he himself has appointed. The Lord Jesus reigns; the providential kingdom is twisted in with the mediatorial and the administration of both is in the hand of Christ, who therefore is both the head of the church and head over all things to the church. The kingdom of Christ is so constituted that,

  • I. It may be matter of joy to all; and it will be so if it be not their own fault. Let the earth rejoice, for hereby it is established (Ps. 96:10); it is honoured and enriched, and, in part, rescued from the vanity which by sin it is made subject to. Not only let the people of Israel rejoice in him as King of the Jews, and the daughter of Zion as her King, but let all the earth rejoice in his elevation; for the kingdoms of the world shall, more or less, sooner or later, become his kingdoms: Let the multitude of isles, the many or great isles, be glad thereof. This is applicable to our country, which is a great isle, and has many belonging to it; at least, it speaks comfort in general to the Gentiles, whose countries are called the isles of the Gentiles, Gen. 10:5. There is enough in Christ for the multitude of the isles to rejoice in; for, though many have been made happy in him, yet still there is room. All have reason to rejoice in Christ's government.
    • 1. In the equity of it. There is an incontestable justice in all the acts of his government, both legislative and judicial. Sometimes indeed clouds and darkness are round about him; his dispensations are altogether unaccountable; his way is in the sea and his path in the great waters. We are not aware of what he designs, what he drives at; nor is it fit that we should be let into the secrets of his government. There is a depth in his counsels, which we must not pretend to fathom. But still righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne; a golden thread of justice runs through the whole web of his administration. In this he resides, for it is his habitation. In this he rules, for it is the habitation of his throne. His commandments are, and will be, all righteous. Righteousness and judgment are the basis of his throne (so Dr. Hammond); for therefore his throne is for ever and ever, because his sceptre is a right sceptre, Ps. 45:6. The throne is established in righteousness. Even the heavens declare his righteousness (v. 6); it is as conspicuous and as illustrious as the heavens themselves. The angels of heaven will declare it, who are employed as messengers in the administration of his government and therefore know more of it than any of his creatures. His righteousness is incontestable; for who can contradict or dispute what the heavens declare? Ps. 50:6.
    • 2. In the extent of it in the upper and lower world.
      • (1.) All the men on earth are under his government; either he is served by them or he serves himself by them. All the people see his glory, or may see it. The glory of God, in the face of Christ, was made to shine in distant countries, among many people, more or less among all people; the gospel was preached, for aught we know, in all languages, Acts 2:5, 11. Miracles were wrought in all nations, and so all the people saw his glory. Have they not heard? Rom. 10:18.
      • (2.) All the angels in heaven are so. Perhaps we should not have found this truth in those words (v. 7), Worship him, all you gods, if we had not been directed to it by the inspired apostle, who, from the Septuagint version of those words, makes the Messiah to be introduced into the upper world at the ascension with this charge (Heb. 1:6), Let all the angels of God worship him, which helps us to a key to this whole psalm, and shows us that it must be applied to the exalted Redeemer, who has gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God, which intimates that all power is given him both in heaven and earth, angels, authorities, and powers, being made subject unto him, 1 Pt. 3:22. This speaks the honour of Christ, that he has such worshippers, and the honour of all good Christians, that they have such fellow-worshippers.
  • II. Christ's government, though it may be matter of joy to all, will yet be matter of terror to some, and it is their own fault that it is so, v. 3-5, 7. Observe,
    • 1. When the kingdom of Christ was to be set up in the world, after his ascension, it would meet with many enemies, and much opposition would be given to it. He that reigns, to the joy of the whole earth, yet, as he has his subjects, so he has his enemies (v. 3), that not only will not have him to reign over them, but would not have him to reign at all, that not only will not enter into the kingdom of heaven themselves, but do all they can to hinder those that are entering, Mt. 23:13. This was fulfilled in the enmity of the unbelieving Jews to the gospel of Christ, and the violent persecution which in all places they stirred up against the preachers and professors of it. These enemies are here called hills (v. 5), for their height, and strength, and immovable obstinacy. It was the princes of this world that crucified the Lord of glory, 1 Co. 2:8; Ps. 2:2.
    • 2. The opposition which the Jews gave to the setting up of Christ's kingdom turned to their own ruin. Their persecuting the apostles, and forbidding them to speak to the Gentiles, filled up their sin, and brought wrath upon them to the uttermost, 1 Th. 2:15, 16. That wrath is here compared,
      • (1.) To consuming fire, which goes before him, and burns up his enemies, that have made themselves like chaff and stubble, and have set the briers and thorns before him in battle, Isa. 27:4. This fire of divine wrath will not only burn the rubbish upon the hills, but will even melt the hills themselves like wax, v. 5. When our God appears as a consuming fire even rocks will be wax before him. The most resolute and daring opposition will be baffled at the presence of the Lord. His very presence is enough to shame and sink it, for he is the Lord of the whole earth, by whom all the children of men are manageable and to whom they are accountable. Men hate and persecute God's people, because they think him absent, that the Lord has forsaken the earth; but, when he manifests his presence, they melt.
      • (2.) To amazing lightnings (v. 4), which strike a terror upon many. The judgments God brought upon the enemies of Christ's kingdom were such as all the world took notice of with terror: The earth saw and trembled, and the ears of all that heard were made to tingle. This was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation by the Romans, about forty years after Christ's resurrection, which, like fire, wholly destroyed that people, and, like lightning, astonished all their neighbours (Deu. 29:24); but the heavens declare God's righteousness in it, and all the people, to this day, see his glory, in those lasting monuments of his justice, the scattered Jews.
    • 3. Idolaters also would be put to confusion by the setting up of Christ's kingdom (v. 7): Confounded be all those who serve graven images, the Gentile world, who did service to those that by nature are no gods (Gal. 4:8), who boasted themselves of idols as their protectors and benefactors. Did those that served idols boast of them, and shall the servants of the living God distrust him, or be ashamed of him? Let those be ashamed that serve graven images.
      • (1.) This is a prayer for the conversion of the Gentiles, that those who have been so long serving dumb idols may be convinced of their error, ashamed of their folly, and may, by the power of Christ's gospel, be brought to serve the only living and true God, and may be as much ashamed of their idols as ever they were proud of them. See Isa. 2:20, 21.
      • (2.) This is a prophecy of the ruin of those that would not be reformed and reclaimed from their idolatry; they shall be confounded by the destruction of Paganism in the Roman empire, which was fulfilled about 300 years after Christ, so much to the terror of idolaters that some think it was the revolution under Constantine that made even the mighty men say to the rocks, Fall on us and hide us, Rev. 6:15, 16. This prayer and prophecy are still in force against antichristian idolaters, who may here read their doom: Confounded be all those that worship graven images, v. 7. See Jer. 48:13.

Psa 97:8-12

The kingdom of the Messiah, like the pillar of cloud and fire, as it has a dark side towards the Egyptians, so it has a bright side towards the Israel of God. It is set up in spite of opposition; and then the earth saw and trembled (v. 4), but Zion heard and was glad, very glad, to hear of the conversion of some and of the confusion of others, that is, the conquest of all that stood it out against Christ. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! for behold thy king comes unto thee, Zec. 9:9. And not Zion only, where the temple was, but even the daughters of Judah, rejoiced; the common people, the inhabitants of the villages, they shall triumph in Christ's victories. The command (v. 1) is, Let the earth rejoice; but it is only the sons of Zion and the daughters of Judah that do rejoice. All should bid the kingdom of the Messiah welcome, but few do. Now here observe,

  • I. The reasons that are given for Zion's joy in the government of the Redeemer. The faithful servants of God may well rejoice and be glad,
    • 1. Because God is glorified, and whatever redounds to his honour is very much his people's pleasure. They rejoice because of thy judgments, O Lord! which may take in both the judgments of his mouth and the judgments of his hand, the word of his gospel and his works wrought for the propagating of it, miracles and marvellous providences; for in these we must own, "Thou, Lord, art high above all the earth (v. 9); thou hast manifested thy sovereignty in the kingdom of nature, and thy command of all its powers, and thy dominion over all nations, over all hearts; thou art exalted far above all gods'-all deputed gods, that is, princes-all counterfeit gods, that is, idols. The exaltation of Christ, and the advancement of God's glory among men thereby, are the rejoicing of all the saints.
    • 2. Because care is taken for their safety. Those that pay allegiance to Christ as a King shall be sure of his protection. Princes are the shields of the earth; Christ is so to his subjects; they may put their trust under his shadow and rejoice in it, for (v. 10) He preserves the souls of the saints; he preserves their lives as long as he has any work for them to do, and wonderfully delivers them many a time out of the hand of the wicked, their persecutors that thirst after their blood; for precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. But something more is meant than their lives; for those that will be his disciples must be willing to lay down their lives, and not indent for the securing of them. It is the immortal soul that Christ preserves, the inward man, which may be renewed more and more when the outward man decays. He will preserve the souls of his saints from sin, from apostasy, and despair, under their greatest trials; he will deliver them out of the hands of the wicked one that seeks to devour them; he will preserve them safely to his heavenly kingdom, 2 Tim. 4:18. They have therefore reason to be glad, being thus safe.
    • 3. Because provision is made for their comfort. Those that rejoice in Christ Jesus, and in his exaltation, have fountains of joy treasured up for them, which will be opened sooner or later (v. 11): Light is sown for the righteous, that is, gladness for the upright in heart. The subjects of Christ's kingdom are told to expect tribulation in the world. They must suffer by its malice, and must not share in its mirth; yet let them know, to their comfort, that light is sown for them; it is designed and prepared for them. What is sown will come up again in due time; though, like a winter seedness, it may lie long under the clods, and seem to be lost and buried, yet it will return in a rich and plentiful increase. God's goodness shall be sure of a harvest in the appointed weeks. Those that sow in tears shall, without fail, reap in joy, Ps. 126:5, 6. Christ told his disciples, at parting (Jn. 16:20), You shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Gladness is sure to the upright in heart, to those only that are sincere in religion. The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. There is no serenity without a lasting sincerity,
  • II. The rules that are given for Zion's joy.
    • 1. Let it be a pure and holy joy. "You that love the Lord Jesus, that love his appearing and kingdom, that love his word and his exaltation, see that you hate evil, the evil of sin, every thing that is offensive to him and will throw you out of his favour.' Note, A true love to God will show itself in a real hatred of all sin, as that abominable thing which he hates. The joy of the saints should likewise confirm their antipathy to sin and divine comforts should put their mouths out of taste for sensual pleasures.
    • 2. Let the joy terminate in God (v. 12): Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous. Let all the streams of comfort, which flow to us in the channel of Christ's kingdom, lead us to the fountain, and oblige us to rejoice in the Lord. All the lines of joy must meet in him as in the centre. See Phil. 3:3; 4:4.
    • 3. Let it express itself in praise and thanksgiving: Give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Whatever is the matter of our rejoicing ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving, and particularly the holiness of God. Those that hate sin themselves are glad that God does so, in hopes that therefore he will not suffer it to have dominion over them. Note,
      • (1.) We ought to be much in the remembrance of God's holiness, the infinite purity, rectitude, and perfection of the divine nature. We must be ever mindful of his holy covenant, which he has confirmed with an oath by his holiness.
      • (2.) We ought to give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness, not only give him the glory of it as it is an honour to him, but give him thanks for it as it is a favour to us; and an unspeakable favour it will be if, through grace, we are partakers of his holiness. It is God's holiness which, above all his attributes, the angels celebrate. Isa. 6:3, Holy, holy, holy. Sinners tremble, but saints rejoice, at the remembrance of God's holiness, Ps. 30:4.