Psalm 97

Rejoice! The Lord Reigns!

Psalm 96 & Psalm 97 were set to the same tune.  Christ is the Alpha & Omega of both.  It is He who reigns to the joy of all mankind.  The Lord Jesus reigns!!! 

The Lord reigns;
Let the earth rejoice!
For You, Lord, are most high
above all the earth.
~ Ps. 97:1, 9

Let all be put to shame who serve carved images,
Who boast of idols.  ~ Ps. 97:7

Matthew Henry notes that verse 7 is a prayer for the conversion of those who have been so long serving dumb idols, praying they may be:

1. convinced of their error,
2. ashamed of their folly, and
3. may by the power of Christ's gospel, be brought to serve the only living and true God.

Idolatry is the universal human tendency to value something or someone in a way that hinders the love & trust we owe to God. 

Consider verse 7  in your own life - you may not worship a golden cow, but what about "idol worship" that sneaks into your life - money, power, job, even children or human relationships? 

Have you ever seen the Indiana Jones movies, where he searches for the artifacts of God - the Ark of the Covenant, and the Holy Grail of Christ.  In a similar way as Christians, our lives should be a quest to seek after God.  As much as is humanly possible in our mortal beings, don't you desire to have the mind of God?  Verse 10 is a step on that path:  

You who love the Lord, hate evil!  ~ Ps. 97:10
A true love of God will show itself in a real hatred of sin, and a true grief over one's own and all in general.  The more we are like God, the more sin will grieve us. 

WHAT CAN I LEARN ABOUT GOD THROUGH THIS PSALM:

• The Lord reigns!
• Righteousness & justice are the foundation of His throne
• All peoples will see His glory
• The Lord is to be exalted
• God preserves the souls of His saints
• God is our Deliverer

 HOW CAN I PRAISE GOD THROUGH THIS PSALM:

• I praise the Lord that He does indeed reign, and will reign forever.  This is a comforting truth when evil seems so rampant in this world!
• I praise God that He preserves the souls of His saints, of which I am one!

PRAYER: by F.B. Meyer

     Heavenly Father!  Forgive my many sins, ignorances, and failures, and cleanse me from all sin for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Accept me graciously, and love me freely.  May I hate sin as You do, and may Your grace sink deeper into my heart, purifying the springs of thought and action.  ~ Amen