The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 97:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

ANOTHER liturgical psalm on the advent of Christ The psalmist sees him take possession of his throne, but, this time, rather in judgment than in mercy. His accession is described with the usual features of a theophany (Psalms 97:1-6; comp. Psalms 18:7-15; Psalms 50:3-6; Psalms 77:14-19). The impression made on the inhabitants of the earth, whether idolatrous heathen (Psalms 97:7), or faithful Israelites (Psalms 97:8, Psalms 97:9), is then given. Finally, a practical lesson is drawn from the event prophesied, viz. "Let the Israel of God hate evil, and rejoice in the Lord and in his holy Name" (Psalms 97:10-12).

Metrically, the psalm consists of four stanzas, each of three verses. There is nothing in its contents to fix its date.

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 97:1-7Psalms 97:1-7 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThough many have been made happy in Christ, still there is room. And all have reason to rejoice in Christ's government. There is a depth in his counsels, which we must not pretend to fathom; but still righteousness and…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 97:1Psalms 97:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Lord reigneth; or, the Lord has become King—has ascended his throne (comp. Psalms 93:1; Psalms 96:10). Let the earth rejoice. When God condescends to appear on earth, the earth is bound to rejoice. His coming cannot…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 97:1Psalms 97:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryGod's sovereignty. "The Lord reigneth." To a thoughtful, loving, earnest Christian heart, the spectacle of prevailing disorder, wrong, misery, in this world (today as in past ages) is a source of sometimes almost unbear…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 97:1-12Psalms 97:1-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryJehovah is King. The subject of this psalm, as of the whole group to which it belongs, is the reign of Christ. Some glorious revival in the Jewish Church so uplifted the thought of the writer of these psalms that he see…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 97:1Psalms 97:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Lord reigneth. On this truth we observe— I. IT WAS THE FAITH OF ALL HOLY SCRIPTURE. The Law, the Prophets, the Psalms—these especially—the Gospels, the Epistles, and the Revelation, all alike declare this faith, and…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 97:1-7Though many have been made happy in Christ, still there is room. And all have reason to rejoice in Christ's government. There is a depth in his counsels, which we must not pretend to fathom; but still righteousness and…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 97:1God's sovereignty. "The Lord reigneth." To a thoughtful, loving, earnest Christian heart, the spectacle of prevailing disorder, wrong, misery, in this world (today as in past ages) is a source of sometimes almost unbear…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 97:1The Lord reigneth; or, the Lord has become King—has ascended his throne (comp. Psalms 93:1; Psalms 96:10). Let the earth rejoice. When God condescends to appear on earth, the earth is bound to rejoice. His coming cannot…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 97:1-12Jehovah is King. The subject of this psalm, as of the whole group to which it belongs, is the reign of Christ. Some glorious revival in the Jewish Church so uplifted the thought of the writer of these psalms that he see…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 97:1The Lord reigneth. On this truth we observe— I. IT WAS THE FAITH OF ALL HOLY SCRIPTURE. The Law, the Prophets, the Psalms—these especially—the Gospels, the Epistles, and the Revelation, all alike declare this faith, and…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 97:2Clouds and darkness are round about him (comp. Exodus 19:16, Exodus 19:18; Deuteronomy 4:11; Deuteronomy 5:22 :1Ki Deuteronomy 8:12). The "darkness" does not belong to the nature of God, who "is Light, and in him is no…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 97:2The Divine character and government. "Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and truth are the foundation of his throne." I. WE ARE OFTEN IN DOUBT AND DIFFICULTY ABOUT THE DIVINE CHARACTER AND GOVERNMENT…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 97:2What God seems, and what God is. The figures of this verse are evidently taken from the scenes connected with the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. Then "clouds and darkness" were the surroundings, and from these men mi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors