Psalm 97:1-12 The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.… I. VISIBLE EVILS CALL FORTH THE EXPRESSION OF THE PSALMIST'S FAITH. Some powerful form of evil had been judged and overthrown. II. THE FACT CONCERNING WHICH THE PSALMIST UTTERS HIS CONVICTION — THAT GOD REIGNS. God is overhead counteracting the shortsighted selfishness of the wicked. In the psalmist's day, men looked on the idols of the heathen as wicked spirits, less powerful than the righteous Jehovah. We are too advanced to believe in the gods of other people. We can scarce believe in a devil, though that would be less awful than to be in the grasp of nature. It would have been "some comfort could I have fancied myself tormented of the Devil," said Carlyle once. Those who think the universe a vast machine find it terrible to contemplate a fall amidst its ponderous wheels. Better a devil than a blind force. But Jehovah is a living God, and not hostile to us. Righteousness and judgment are the base of His throne. And He is a God of love. III. THE OCCASION HEREIN FOR JOY. It was this thought that inspired Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus." "Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth... King of kings, and Lord of lords. Hallelujah!" And it is a glorious conviction to reach. Those who hold it may rejoice in the midst of injustice. Or while patiently doing deeds of unappreciated lovingkindness, they may, like the Saviour, have respect unto the recompense of reward. In the storms of life they may say, as did the happy child to the anxious passengers: "My father is at the helm." And when Death knocks his dire summons at the door, since God reigns, they may remember that he is but a messenger from the courts of heaven. And when the Lord comes to judgment, and the wicked call upon the rocks and hills to hide them, the saints may shout for joy, since this God is their God for ever and ever. (G. M. Mackie, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.WEB: Yahweh reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad! |
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