Psalm 97

Psalm 97 belongs to Book Four of the Psalms (Psalms 90–106) and is one of a group of psalms celebrating the kingship of the LORD (including Psalms 93 and 95–99). The preceding Psalm 96 calls for the declaration among the nations that "the LORD reigneth" (Psalm 96:10). This psalm opens with that very declaration. The Hebrew text has no superscription.

Structure

• Verses 1–5 proclaim the reign of the LORD and call the earth and the multitude of isles to rejoice. Righteousness and judgment are celebrated as the foundation of his throne. Before God, who appears amid clouds and darkness, fire and lightning, the earth trembles and the hills melt like wax.
• Verses 6–9 declare that the heavens proclaim his righteousness and all the people see his glory. Those who serve graven images are put to shame, and even the gods are called to worship the LORD. Zion and the daughters of Judah hear of his judgments and rejoice. The psalmist confesses that the LORD is high above all the earth and exalted far above all gods.
• Verses 10–12 urge those who love the LORD to hate evil. God preserves the souls of his saints and delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. The psalm closes by calling the righteous, for whom light and gladness have been sown, to rejoice in the LORD and give thanks.

Key Verses

• Psalm 97:1 "The LORD reigneth" — the central confession that unites this entire group of psalms.
• Psalm 97:2 "Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne" — a confession that God's rule rests not on power alone but on righteousness.
• Psalm 97:10 "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil" — showing that praise must carry over into the way one lives.

People and Places

• The LORD: the God of Israel, praised as the King who rules over all the earth.
• Zion: the temple mount in Jerusalem, used here for the place where God's people gather.
• The daughters of Judah: a poetic expression for the towns of Judah or their people.

Points for Reflection

• The clouds, darkness, fire, and lightning of verses 2–5 are commonly read as imagery recalling God's appearance at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19).
• Interpretations differ regarding "all ye gods" in verse 7. Some view it as a poetic address to the gods of the nations, while others take it to refer to heavenly beings.
• The Septuagint renders this part of verse 7 as "Worship him, all his angels." The quotation in Hebrews 1:6 is thought to derive from the Septuagint of this verse or of Deuteronomy 32:43.
• The rendering "Light is sown" in verse 11 follows the Hebrew text. Some ancient versions, including the Septuagint, render this phrase as "Light has dawned."
• Scholars call this group the "enthronement psalms" and sometimes associate them with the worship festivals of ancient Israel. Church tradition has also read them as songs anticipating the kingship of Christ and his Second Coming. Interpreters differ on whether the emphasis falls on God's present reign or on its future consummation.