February 7
Reading: Psalm 97
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light 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 the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 O you who love the LORD, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!
Psalm 97 opens and closes with the command to “rejoice!” (vss. 1, 12) It is an invitation to all peoples of the earth to worship the Lord who reigns over all; over all creation, over all gods, over the wicked and the righteous.
Like the psalms before and after it, Psalm 97 rejoices in the coming King. The emphasis here, however, is on the terror of that coming for all those who worship idols. For this reason, His coming is first presented as “clouds and thick darkness” and fire that “goes before Him.” (vss. 2-3) Though we are called to rejoice in His coming, His adversaries tremble and melt. (vss. 3-5)
The King is coming, and the contrast between the reaction of the righteous and the wicked runs throughout the entire psalm. Those who serve idols will be ashamed. The daughters of Judah will rejoice. (vss. 7-8) Why? It is because God is “Yahweh Most High over all the earth.” (vs. 9) When He comes, if you have been worshipping or serving idols, you will be catastrophically embarrassed.
The song wraps us with three commands. “Hate evil, you who love Yahweh.” (vs. 10) The rest of verses 10-11 give us reasons to hate evil and love the Lord. Then we have, “Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous ones,” (vs. 12) “And give thanks to His holy name.” (vs. 12) It is worth taking some time to ponder how you can apply each of these commands today.