Psalms 97:11

Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods. -How the angels and how Judah shall receive Him when He shall come to confound the idols; and how the saints ought to hate evil and rejoice in His holy name as the source of light to them at the last. Verse 7. CONFOUNDED BE ALL THEY THAT SERVE GRAVEN IMAGES, THAT BOAST THEMSELVES OF IDOLS. "Idols" - literally, things of nought, nullities; Hebrew, Elilim. Isaiah 42:17 is parallel; 44:9. WORSHIP HIM, ALL YE GODS - not the false gods, as Hengstenberg takes it, quoting Exodus 12:12; Numbers 33:41;...

11._Light has been sown for the righteous _He confirms the truth just advanced, and anticipates an objection which might be brought against it. We have seen that the Lord’s people are often treated with the utmost cruelty and injustice, and would seem to be abandoned to the fury of their enemies. The Psalmist reminds us for our encouragement that God, even when he does not immediately deliver his children, upholds them by his secret power. (104) In the first clause of the verse there is a double metaphor. By _light _is meant joy, or a prosperous issue, (according to a phraseology which is common in Scripture,) as darkness denotes adversity. The latter metaphor of _sowing _is rather more difficult to understand. (105) Some think that gladness is sown for the just, as seed which, when cast into the ground, dies or lies buried in the earth a considerable time before i

8-12 The faithful servants of God may well rejoice and be glad, because he is glorified; and whatever tends to his honour, is his people's pleasure. Care is taken for their safety. But something more is meant than their lives. The Lord will preserve the souls of his saints from sin, from apostacy, and despair, under their greatest trials. He will deliver them out of the hands of the wicked one, and preserve them safe to his heavenly kingdom. And those that rejoice in Christ Jesus, and in his exaltation, have fountains of joy prepared for them. Those that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. Gladness is sure to the upright in heart; the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. Sinners tremble, but saints rejoice at God's holiness. As he hates sin, yet freely loves the person of the repentant sinner who believes in Christ, he will make a final separation between the person he loves and the si...

Verse Psalms 97:11. _LIGHT IS SOWN FOR THE RIGHTEOUS_] The Divine light in the soul of man is a seed which takes root, and springs up and increases _thirty, sixty_, and a _hundred_ fold. _Gladness_ is also a seed: it is _sown_, and, if carefully improved and cultivated, will also multiply itself into _thousands_. Every grace of God is a _seed_, which he intends should produce a _thousand_ fold in the hearts of genuine believers. We do not so much require _more_ grace from God, as the _cultivation_ of what we have received. God will not give more, unless we improve what we have got. Remember _the parable of_ _the talents_. Let the _light_ and _gladness_ be faithfully cultivated, and they will multiply themselves till the whole body shall be full of light, and the whole soul full of happiness. But it is the _righteous_...

LIGHT IS SOWN FOR THE RIGHTEOUS - That is, There is light for the righteous; or, they shall be brought into light, though they may be for a time in darkness. The word rendered “sown” - זרע _zâra‛_ - is from a verb which properly denotes to scatter, to disperse - as seed is scattered or dispersed when sown in a field. It is hence used with reference to moral subjects, as to sow righteousness, Proverbs 11:18; to sow iniquity, Proverbs 22:8; to sow mischief, Job 4:8; that is, these things are scattered or sown, as seed is in a field, and produce a corresponding harvest. Thus light is scattered abroad, and will produce an appropriate harvest - a harvest of joy. It will

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,...

LIGHT IS SOWN FOR THE RIGHTEOUS,.... Who are made righteous by the obedience of Christ, and live soberly and righteously; the light of joy and gladness, as it is explained in the next clause; see Esther 8:16 so, φοως, "light", is frequently used by Homer x for joy and gladness: these sometimes are without it, through the hidings of God's face, the prevalence of corruptions, the force of Satan's temptations, and the many afflictions they meet with; but joy and gladness, peace and comfort, are sown for them in the counsels and purposes of God, in his covenant, in the Scriptures, in the Gospel, and in the promises of it; and, though at present hidden, will spring up in God's due time, Psalms 112:4, and which also may be interpreted of the light of glory, which at present does not appear; but it is prepared in 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....

RIGHTEOUS. a righteous one (singular) UPRIGHT (plural)...