Bible Study on Psalm 97
Title: “The LORD Reigns: Glory, Judgment, and Joy”
1. Introduction and Background
Superscription (LXX):
In the Greek Septuagint, Psalm 97 begins with the title:
“Of David, when his land is being brought to order.”
This hints at a time of national restoration or reordering—possibly after divine intervention.
Theme:
Psalm 97 is an Enthronement Psalm, one of several that proclaim Yahweh’s sovereign reign (Psalms 93–100). The language is filled with the imagery of theophany (divine appearing): clouds, lightning, fire, trembling earth—expressions of God’s holiness and justice made manifest.
Historical Allusions and Echoes:
• Exodus 19:16–18
“On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud trumpet sound… Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the LORD came down on it in fire.”
• Judges 5:4–5
“LORD, when you came from Seir, when you marched from the fields of Edom, the earth trembled, the skies poured rain, the clouds poured water. The mountains melted before the LORD, even Sinai before the LORD, the God of Israel.”
• Joel 2:30–31
“I will display wonders in the heavens and on the earth: blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes.”
• Amos 5:18–20
“Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! What will the day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light… not brightness at all.”
These passages portray God’s dramatic intervention in both history and eschatology. The psalm uses this past imagery to anticipate future glory:
“What God has done before, He will do again!”
2. Context in the Psalter
Psalm 97 appears in Book IV (Psalms 90–106), a section that pivots from lament over Israel’s downfall to confidence in Yahweh’s eternal reign. This psalm is part of an enthronement triad:
• Psalm 96: Proclaims God’s kingship to the nations.
• Psalm 97: Describes the majesty and justice of His appearing.
• Psalm 98: Celebrates the Lord’s victorious salvation.
3. Historical Interpretation
Jewish and Early Christian Views
• Jewish interpreters viewed Psalm 97 as celebrating the supremacy of Yahweh over all rival gods and idols.
• Hebrews 1:6 quotes Psalm 97:7 (via the LXX):
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
This applies Psalm 97’s divine imagery to Jesus, showing His superiority to angels.
Reformation Emphasis
• Emphasized God’s righteous judgment and the futility of idols.
• Called believers to worship, holiness, and gratitude in light of God’s rule.
Pentecostal View (20th Century)
• Verses 3 and 4 viewed through the lens of Spirit baptism and revival fire.
• Strong emphasis on holiness (v.10) and expectation of the Lord’s return.
• Verse 11 is read spiritually: light and joy are “sown” now and fully manifest in the end-times.
Michael Heiser’s Interpretation
• Views “gods” (v.7, 9) as literal spiritual beings (cf. Psalm 82, Deut. 32:8).
• Sees Psalm 97 as part of the Divine Council framework—Yahweh’s supremacy over all heavenly powers.
4. Verse-by-Verse Commentary with Full Text
Verse 1
“The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coasts and islands be glad!”
• A powerful, present-tense proclamation: Yahweh reigns now—not just in Israel, but over all the earth.
• “Coasts and islands” refers to distant, far-off places, a poetic image for the Gentile nations. This makes the verse universal in scope, showing that God is God of all—not a tribal deity, but King of kings and Lord of lords.
• This looks back to Genesis 12:1–3, where God promised to bless “all the families of the earth” through Abraham:
“I will bless those who bless you… and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Gen 12:3, CSB)
• It also looks forward to Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17, where God promises to pour out His Spirit “on all people”:
“After this I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity… Then everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Joel 2:28, 32 CSB)
• Thus, Psalm 97:1 previews both the global Gospel mission and the Pentecostal promise: joy and salvation are for every nation under God’s reign.
Verse 2
“Clouds and total darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.”
• Reflects Exodus 19:9 and Deuteronomy 4:11:
“You came near and stood at the base of the mountain… the mountain blazing with fire into the heavens and enveloped in a totally black cloud.”
• God is veiled in mystery, but always rules with moral clarity.
Verse 3
“Fire goes before him and burns up his foes on every side.”
• Divine fire is both destructive and purifying.
• Seen also in Malachi 3:2–3:
“He will be like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s bleach.”
• Pentecostal tradition sees echoes of Acts 2:3:
“They saw tongues like flames of fire… resting on each one of them.”
Verse 4
“His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.”
• Nature reacts to His appearance.
• Parallels Psalm 77:18:
“The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind; lightning lit up the world. The earth shook and quaked.”
Verse 5
“The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD—at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.”
• Mountains symbolize power and permanence—yet they melt before God.
• Echoes Micah 1:4:
“The mountains will melt beneath him, and the valleys will split apart…”
Verse 6
“The heavens proclaim his righteousness; all the peoples see his glory.”
• Similar to Psalm 19:1:
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.”
Verse 7
“All who serve carved images, those who boast in worthless idols, will be put to shame. All the gods must worship him.”
• Hebrews 1:6 (LXX) applies this to Jesus:
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
• Daniel Segraves emphasizes this verse in affirming Christ’s divinity over all spiritual powers.
Verse 8
“Zion hears and is glad. Judah’s villages rejoice because of your judgments, LORD.”
• The LORD’s justice is not feared by His people—it causes joy.
• Cf. Psalm 48:11:
“Mount Zion is glad. Judah’s villages rejoice because of your judgments.”
Verse 9
“For you, LORD, are the Most High over the whole earth; you are exalted above all the gods.”
• Parallels Psalm 83:18:
“You alone—whose name is the LORD—are the Most High over the whole earth.”
Verse 10
“You who love the LORD, hate evil! He protects the lives of his faithful ones; he rescues them from the power of the wicked.”
• See Romans 12:9:
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.”
• Also 1 Peter 1:15:
“As the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct.”
Verse 11
“Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart.”
• Proverbs 4:18:
“The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter until midday.”
Verse 12
“Be glad in the LORD, you righteous ones, and give thanks to his holy name.”
• Cf. Philippians 4:4:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
5. Practical Application
1. Rejoice and Recommit After Every Intervention
• Every answered prayer or act of deliverance should prompt us to recommit ourselves to serve and worship Him.
2. Live with Holiness
• Loving God requires hating evil and aligning our lives with His justice (v.10).
3. Reject Idolatry and Exalt Christ
• False worship can take many forms—status, comfort, self.
• Psalm 97 calls us to exalt Christ as the one worthy of worship (v.7–9).
4. Trust in God’s Justice
• He judges wickedness and preserves the righteous.
• In an unjust world, we await His righteous rule (v.6, 10).
5. Anticipate the Final Epiphany
• The psalm builds hope toward the day when Christ returns in fire and glory:
“The mountains melt… the heavens declare… all peoples see his glory.”
• Cf. 1 John 3:2–3:
“We know that when he appears, we will be like him… Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself…”
