Psalm 97.
Verse 1, which, like many other psalm-beginnings, sums up the whole of the Psalm, makes clear that the blessings of the Lord’s thousand year reign will not be limited to the children of Israel, —“the earth” and the many islands must include the world; both near to and far from Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
Verses 2 to 9 give the character of His reign, and the judgments that will be carried out. Clouds and darkness (verse 2) express the presence of God in majesty and judgment; the throne is one of righteousness, where sin will be dealt with. There is no thought of a mercy seat (Hebrews 9:55And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. (Hebrews 9:5)) here.
Fire (verse 3) is a figure of the unsparing judgment of adversaries, and verses 4 and 5 show what power will attend the Lord’s appearing.
The heavens (verse 6) declare His righteousness, whom the world rejected and crucified. Where will the idols be when that day of power and glory dawns? (verse 7). “All ye gods” is a reference to the angels, the same expression as in the fifth verse of the 8th psalm. (See also Hebrews 1:66And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (Hebrews 1:6)).
The long afflicted Zion—Jerusalem— have reason to rejoice, and the daughters of Judah will be glad (verse 8) when the King of Israel—God’s King—establishes His throne there, and His rule is begun.
The last three verses of the Psalm are addressed to those who had believed the message of God’s grace to Israel, —the remnant, —for their encouragement. If they love Jehovah, they should hate evil.
He preserves the souls of His saints, and not that only, He delivers them from the wicked.
Light and joy, and no longer darkness and grief, are the portion of the godly. So the Psalm closes with a call to them to rejoice in Jehovah, and to give thanks in remembrance of His holiness.
ML 07/12/1931