Psalms 97

These psalms challenge the doubts created by the exile (see Psalm 89) and answer the questions asked in Psalm 90:11, 13. The Lord has established a kingdom (Psalm 93) that is characterized by:

• punishment of the wicked (Psalm 94),

• respectful obedience among his people (Psalm 95),

• justice for the poor (Psalm 96),

• celebration in Zion (Psalm 97),

• salvation for Israel (Psalm 98),

• holiness (Psalm 99), and

• praise (Psalm 100).

The distant shores represent the most remote parts of the world.

God is greatly exalted over the gods and over all the earth. Awe-inspiring phenomena accompany his coming. Even the created order is visibly affected and the wicked perish, but the people of Zion love his coming and rejoice.

Clouds … Fire … lightning: This language shows that the Lord is coming to judge.

All creation responds to the coming of its King. He alone deserves worship.

• When the Lord comes into the world, the heavens announce his righteousness (Psalm 50:6).

• Every nation will see the clear display of the Lord’s glory (see Psalm 8:1; 19:1–4a; 24:7; Isaiah 40:5).

At the Lord’s coming, when every god must bow to him, those who worship other gods will face their own foolishness (see Psalm 95:3–5).

Jerusalem rejoices at the news of the Lord’s coming, for he brings justice and rescues the upright of heart.

Godly people who live with integrity (see Proverbs 2:7, 21; 3:32; 11:6, 11; 14:2) have hearts that are right before the Lord. They maintain a relationship with the Lord and live rightly with others (Psalms 94:15; 125:4).

The wicked plan to destroy the godly (Psalm 11:2), but the Lord rescues them (11:1; 36:10). Then the sorrows of the godly turn into joy and praise (Psalms 32:11; 64:10; 111:1; 119:7).