Old Testament Commentary - Psalms 97

by Don R. Hender

This Psalm, Prayer or Hymn of Praise and Testament is similar to that of the Prophet Habakkuk and that vision turned into Psalm which he wrote in Habakkuk chapter 3. There he gave his description of the Second Coming of Christ and that great Millennial Day. Here likewise is a similar description with parallels to that account of Habakkuk. Perhaps this Psalm also was written either by a prophet or is an adaptation of a prophet's prophecy and vision here turned into a song of remembrance.

Scriptural Text [& Editorial] Commentary & Explanation Footnotes ~ References ~ JST

          CHAPTER 97
The Lord reigneth in Millennial glory—The hills melt at his presence—Those who love the Lord hate evil.

1 THE LORD ^areigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
2 Clouds and ^adarkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5
   ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah
5^a TG Nature, Earth
   ^b TG Spirit Creation
   ^c TG Creation
   ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of
   ^e Moses 3:5

3 A fire goeth before him^a, and burneth up his enemies round about.
4 His lightnings ^aenlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
5 The hills ^amelted like ^bwax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
3^a A fire goeth before him This in speaking of the Lord's coming and administration is similar to that which Habakkuk saw in his vision. Habakkuk states 'burning coals went forth at his feet' (Habakkuk 3;5). Of course we hear of the burning of the wicked at the Lord's coming and that 'tithing' is the saint's fire insurance. Thus there is a consistant concept that there will be burnings which precede his coming of the wicked before him. 4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5
   ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah
5^a TG Nature, Earth
   ^b TG Spirit Creation
   ^c TG Creation
   ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of
   ^e Moses 3:5

6 The heavens ^adeclare his ^brighteousness, and all the people see his glory.
7 ^aConfounded be all they that serve ^bgraven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5
   ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah
5^a TG Nature, Earth
   ^b TG Spirit Creation
   ^c TG Creation
   ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of
   ^e Moses 3:5

8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the ^adaughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
9 For thou, LORD, art ^ahigh above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

10 Ye that love the LORD, ^ahate ^bevil: he ^cpreserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
11 ^aLight is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
12 ^aRejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give ^bthanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 97 The Lord reigneth in Millennial glory—The hills melt at his presence—Those who love the Lord hate evil.
1 THE LORD ^areigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. 2 Clouds and ^adarkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.		4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5 ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah 5^a TG Nature, Earth ^b TG Spirit Creation ^c TG Creation ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of ^e Moses 3:5
3 A fire goeth before him^a, and burneth up his enemies round about. 4 His lightnings ^aenlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. 5 The hills ^amelted like ^bwax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.	3^a A fire goeth before him This in speaking of the Lord's coming and administration is similar to that which Habakkuk saw in his vision. Habakkuk states 'burning coals went forth at his feet' (Habakkuk 3;5). Of course we hear of the burning of the wicked at the Lord's coming and that 'tithing' is the saint's fire insurance. Thus there is a consistant concept that there will be burnings which precede his coming of the wicked before him.	4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5 ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah 5^a TG Nature, Earth ^b TG Spirit Creation ^c TG Creation ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of ^e Moses 3:5
6 The heavens ^adeclare his ^brighteousness, and all the people see his glory. 7 ^aConfounded be all they that serve ^bgraven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.		4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5 ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah 5^a TG Nature, Earth ^b TG Spirit Creation ^c TG Creation ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of ^e Moses 3:5
8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the ^adaughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. 9 For thou, LORD, art ^ahigh above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
10 Ye that love the LORD, ^ahate ^bevil: he ^cpreserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. 11 ^aLight is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12 ^aRejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give ^bthanks at the remembrance of his holiness.