Psalms 97:4

His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. HIS LIGHTNINGS ENLIGHTENED THE WORLD: THE EARTH SAW, AND TREMBLED - drawn from . The bare sight of thee caused the earth to tremble ()....

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....

Verse Psalms 97:4. _HIS LIGHTNINGS ENLIGHTENED THE WORLD_] Though this be no more than a majestic description of the coming of the Lord, to confound his enemies and succour his followers, yet _some_ _spiritualize_ the passage, and say, the _lightnings_ signify the _apostles_, who _enlightened_ the world by their heavenly doctrine. _THE EARTH SAW, AND TREMBLED._] The earth is represented as a sentient being. It saw the terrible majesty of God; and trembled through terror, fearing it should be destroyed on account of the wickedness of its inhabitants....

HIS LIGHTNINGS ENLIGHTENED THE WORLD ... - See the notes at Psalms 77:18. Compare Psalms 104:32; Habakkuk 3:6....

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,...

HIS LIGHTNINGS ENLIGHTENED THE WORLD,.... Either the doctrines of the Gospel, compared thereunto, because of the swift progress they made, and the large extent of them in the world, in a very little time; by the apostles they were published in all nations, and were the means of enlightening them in the true knowledge of themselves, and of the way of salvation by Christ: hence they are called the "lights of the world", Matthew 5:14, as the coming of Christ, in his kingdom and power, by them, is compared to lightning, and so are the arrows of his word, Matthew 24:27, or else his judgments on the Jewish nation are meant, which were manifest and clear, and obvious to all the world; see Psalms 18:14,

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 WORLD. the habitable world. Hebrew. _tebel._...

Psalms 92-97 DESCRIPTIVE TITLE A Service of Song for a Sabbath Day. ANALYSIS Psalms 92: Personal SongProbably by a King. Psalms 93: Jehovah Proclaimed King. Psalms 94: Prayer for Vengeance on the Lawless. Psalms 95: InvitationO Come! Come in! Warning: Harden not your Hearts! Psalms 96: The Land called upon to Sing to Jehovah, and to Proclaim his Kingship to the Nations. Psalms 97: Third ProclamationDecisive Results, by way of Joy, Fear. Conviction, Shame, Homage, Th