Christian Photographers Community

Psalm 97

This is a song of contrast.  The greatness of the true God, the God Who made and rules all things, is contrasted with the nothingness of the false gods.  The song makes it quite clear how shameful it therefore is to believe in and follow false gods. Then, finally, in view of the contrast, the song calls the people of God to rejoice in experiencing the goodness of their real and living God.

In the first verse, the listener is reminded that the Lord reigns and that the people of earth, even to its most distant islands - should be glad that He does reign.  It's a happy fact that He has ruled, still rules, and always will rule - actively and in minutest detail - over every aspect of His creation!  That's an absolute fact, one of which we too need to be reminded - often.  Sometimes this world seems to be full of chaos, confusion, and injustice – and at those times we need to be reminded that even all that seeming chaos will finally lead to the fulfillment of God's perfect plan.  The hope of final glory sustains the natural creation and ourselves as well, and that hope is founded upon the absolute fact that He reigns.

The psalmist reminds us that "Clouds and darkness surround Him," and of course that just means that we don't always see His hand in the events around us - we can't always discern that He is there and still reigning.  But though His presence isn't always obvious yet nevertheless, "righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne," and "a fire goes before Him and burns up His enemies round about."  Whether His presence is obvious or not, we need to be reminded that those who oppose Him are coming to a sure and destructive end.

When that destruction comes, all of God's enemies will indeed be filled with terror! When it comes - when HE comes - "the mountains (will) melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the LORD of the whole earth."  At that triumphant moment, "the heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples His glory!"  People may not presently see, they may not presently believe, they may presently scoff - at His Word - but there is a time coming, a time when they're going to call upon the rocks to fall upon them to hide them from the Face of Him Who comes to judge them in righteousness!

Knowing this, knowing that mankind will eventually have to face God, the psalmist cries out to them, "Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, who boast of idols.  Worship HIM all you gods!"  In these words he shouts one last warning to unbelievers to turn before it's too late!

In contrast to the unbelieving world, when God's redeemed people hear the warning they rejoice!  They rejoice because God has blessedly rescued them from unbelief and separated them from unbelieving humanity to be His own peculiar people, a people who will NOT have to face that ultimate judgement at His coming!  So "the daughters of Judah rejoice" because of His judgements, even while the rest of creation shrieks out in terror!  They rejoice that "You, Lord, are most high above all the earth . . . exalted above all gods (all the self-important in this age)."

So – what's the conclusion?  How should God's rescued saints respond in this present day to the certain fact of His final triumph?  The psalmist tells us, "You who love the Lord, hate evil!"  Knowing that He's coming, that His judgement is sure and glorious, we should turn sharply away from the things that the rest of the world is doing and from their rebellious ways.  And we should be confident, even in the midst of present trial, because, "He preserves the souls of His saints, He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.  Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart." 

So the exhortation to believers in the true God is clear.  They should "Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy Name!"  Do you give Him thanks that He is still reigning?