Psalms 97:6

The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. THE HEAVENS DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS - from Asaph's psalm, ; in both cases connected with Gods appearing as Judge. His righteousness is manifested in giving men severally their due: to His people salvation, to His and their enemies destruction. The heavens, or skies, declared His righteousness when "the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven" (). AND ALL THE PEOPLE SEE HIS GLORY - (.) "His glory" refers to His manifestation in judgment on the one hand and in grace on the other....

6_The heavens have declared his righteousness _Here he states that there would be such an illustrious display of the righteousness of God, that the heavens themselves would herald it. The meaning is not the same as in the beginning of the nineteenth psalm, “The heavens declare the glory of God,” etc. In that psalm David means no more than that the wisdom and power of God are as conspicuous in the fabric of the heavens, as if God should assert them with an audible voice. The meaning of the passage before us is, that the spiritual righteousness of God should be so signally manifested under the reign of Christ as to fill both heaven and earth. There is much force in this personification, in which the heavens, as if even they were penetrated with a sense of the righteousness of God, are represented as speaking of it. It is equally probable, however, that the heavens signify here _the angels,...

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 97:6. _THE HEAVENS DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS_] They also, in this poetic description, become _intelligent_ beings, and proclaim the majesty and the mercy of the Most High. Metaphorically, they may be said to declare his glory. Their magnitude, number, revolutions, order, influence, and harmony, proclaim the wondrous skill, matchless wisdom, and unlimited power of the Sovereign of the universe. Psalms 100, Psalms 19:1, c. _AND ALL THE PEOPLE SEE HIS GLORY._] Whatsoever God has made proclaims his eternal power and Godhead and who, from a contemplation of the work of his hands, can be ignorant of his being and providence?...

THE HEAVENS DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS - See the notes at Psalms 50:6. Compare the notes at Psalms 19:1. AND ALL THE PEOPLE SEE HIS GLORY - As manifested in the heavens, and in the power which he puts forth on the earth. That is, (they have the opportunity of seeing it; it is made manifest in all his works. They see what in fact is a manifestation of his glory, to wit, his great and wondrous works. It is not affirmed that they “appreciate” all this, or that they see this to be a manifestation of his glory - which would not be true - but that they see what is in fact a revelation of his greatness, his wisdom, and his power....

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 HEAVENS DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS,.... His justice in punishing his enemies; the lightning and the thunder in the heavens, the tokens of his wrath, and instruments of it; his wrath itself, which is revealed from heaven, Romans 1:18, or the inhabitants of heaven, as Aben Ezra; the angels of heaven; so the Targum, "the angels on high (or of heaven, as in the king's Bible) declare his righteousness"; see Revelation 16:5, it is true of the ministers of the Gospel, who are Christ's angels or messengers, men of heavenly gifts and grace, whose work it is to declare the justifying righteousness of Christ, which is revealed in the Gospel from faith to faith, and which is therefore called the word of righteousness, and the ministration of it,...

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 HEAVENS. Put by Figure of speech _Metonymy_ (of Adjunct), App-6, for Him who dwells there. PEOPLE. peoples....