Psalms Reading – 3.31.2022
Psalm 97
1 The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols— worship him, all you gods!
those who boast in idols— worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, Lord.
9 For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, Lord.
9 For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
This psalm emphasizes the Lord’s righteousness which is a significant feature of the Lord’s reign. God’s throne is founded upon it; His glorious handiwork proclaims it; and His people reflect it.
Because the Lord reigns, the whole world, the distant shores, the ends of the earth should rejoice. God’s reign is not limited to one country, one people, or one time zone but is forever over all. His rule is accompanied by magnificent signs that cause all of creation to respond in fear and trembling. The heavens proclaim, not only His greatness, but His righteousness as a display of glory for all to see.
That is why those who worship idols are put to shame in comparison. They worship what they have made with their own hands. God has made the heavens. There is no comparison. The Lord is the Most High elevated incomparably above all other so-called gods.
The psalmist makes it clear that loving the Lord equals hating what is evil. If we love God, we cannot cozy up to that which stands in opposition to Him. Let us never be deceived in a world of compromise because sin is always our enemy. It can never become our friend for we have the light of the Lord’s righteousness shining upon us for all to see.
Memory Verse: Psalm 95:6-7, Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Question(s) to Consider: If we love the Lord and rejoice in His reign, how much does the light of Christ reflect our hatred for evil? Have we compromised our witness? If so, what will we do?