Psalms 97:1

The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Psalms 97:1.-Yahweh's coming with consuming judgments on the idolatrous world-powers. Such was Assyria, that threatened Judah. Yahweh's vengeance on His enemies (Psalms 97:1); the trembling produced by the sight of His glory on the earth, the skies, and all people (Psalms 97:4); how angels, and how Judah shall receive Him at His coming to confound the idols (Psalms 97:7); how the saints who love Him ought to hate evil and rejoice in His holiness, through which gladness is in store for them ...

1_Jehovah reigns _His inviting men to rejoice, is a proof that the reign of God is inseparably connected with the salvation and best happiness of mankind. And, the joy he speaks of being common to the whole world and to the regions beyond the seas, it is evident that he predicts the enlargement of God’s kingdom, which had been confined within the narrow boundaries of Judea, to a far wider extent. The Psalmist, in setting forth the various particulars of the Divine glory in the four verses which follow, would seek to impress all men with a reverential fear of him. Thus he gives us a representation of the formidable majesty attaching to God, that he may dash and humble vain confidence and carnal pride. A cloudy sky overawes us more than a clear one, as the darkness produces a peculiar effect upon the senses. The Psalmist makes use of this symbol, no doubt, to impress the world with the gre...

1-7 Though many have been made happy in Christ, still there is room. And all have reason to rejoice in Christ's 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. Christ's government, though it might be matter of joy to all, will yet be matter of terror to some; but it is their own fault that it is so. The most resolute and daring opposition will be baffled at the presence of the Lord. And the Lord Jesus will ere long come, and put an end to idol worship of every kind....

PSALM XCVII _The reign of Jehovah, its nature and blessedness_, 1, 2. _He is fearful to the wicked_, 3-4. _Idolaters shall be destroyed_, 7. _The blessedness of the righteous_, 8-12. NOTES ON PSALM XCVII This Psalm has no _title_ either in the _Hebrew_ or _Chaldee_; and in _fourteen_ of _Kennicott's_ and _De Rossi's_ MSS. it is written as a part of the preceding. In the _Vulgate_ it is thus entitled, _Psalmus David, quando terra ejus restituta est_. "A Psalm of David when his land was restored;" the meaning of which I suppose to be, after he had obtained possession of the kingdom of Israel and Judah, and became king over all the

THE LORD REIGNETH - See the notes at Psalms 93:1. This is the general fact to be dwelt upon; this is the foundation of joy and praise. The universe is not without a sovereign. It is not the abode of anarchy. It is not the production of chance. It is not subject to mere physical laws. It is not under the control of evil. It is under the government of a God: a wise, holy, intelligent, just, benevolent Being, who rules it well, and who presides over all its affairs. If there is anything for which we should rejoice, it is that there is One Mind, everlasting and most glorious, who presides over the universe, and conducts all things according to his own wise and eternal plan. LET THE EARTH REJOICE - The earth itself; all parts of it; all that dwell upon it. As the earth everywhere derives whatever it has of fertility, beauty, g

EXPOSITION ANOTHER liturgical psalm on the advent of Christ The psalmist sees him take possession of his throne, but, this time, rather in judgment than in mercy. His accession is described with the usual features of a theophany (Psalms 97:1; comp. Psalms 18:7; Psalms 50:3; Psalms 77:14). The impression made on the inhabitants of the earth, whether idolatrous heathen (Psalms 97:7), or faithful Israelites (Psalms 97:8,...

THE LORD REIGNETH,.... He has reigned, now reigns, will and must reign until all enemies are made his footstool; Psalms 93:1, Psalms 96:10, LET THE EARTH REJOICE: not the land of Judea only, and the inhabitants of it, to whom the King Messiah came; for there were but few among them that received him, and rejoiced at his coming; but the whole earth, the vast continent, as distinguished from the isles after mentioned, and they that dwell upon it; the Gentiles, who had a concern in his coming, in whom they were to be blessed, to whom they were to be gathered, and in whom they should find a glorious rest; and therefore he is called THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS: the first preaching of the Gospel was occasion and matter of great joy to them; not only the

Psalms 97 His Glorious Reign _ 1. Jehovah reigneth (Psalms 97:1)_ 2. In righteousness and with glory (Psalms 97:6) He reigneth! Earth and the multitude of isles will now rejoice, for He whose right it is occupies the throne and all unrighteousness, wickedness and idolatry will be banished. Zion and the daughters of Judah rejoice and all the righteous rejoice. It is the time of singing and of joy. And the heavens will reveal His righteousness, while angels worship Him (Psalms 97:7 and Hebrews 1:6). What glory scenes will then take place upon

XCVII. YAHWEH IN THE STORM. The appearance of Yahweh is described in terms of primitive religion, when He was the God of fire and tempest, earthquake and volcano. These traits are retained, but united with that later and far more perfect religion, which recognised Him as the only God (Psalms 97:5; Psalms 97:7) and as a God of absolute righteousness. PSALMS 97:1. ISLES: really means coastlands. Psalms 97:7. See on Psalms 29:1 where sons of God = gods here....

THE LORD. Hebrew. _Jehovah._ App-4. THE LORD REIGNETH. See note on Psalms 93:1. REIGNETH. hath taken. kingdom. THE EARTH. Note that this Book (IV) and its Psalms have relation to the earth or land. See notes on p. 809. ISLES. coasts or coastlands beyond Palestine. Put for the Gentile world....