Psalm 97! As our reading returns to the Psalms, we see a reason for great rejoicing and gladness. Verse 1 begins by declaring that God is king! The call is for the earth to rejoice and the farthest coastlands (all people) to be glad that God is king. Why?
Verses 2-6 describe the LORD God in view of all the other gods of this world. Verse 2 describes the foundation of His throne: righteousness and justice. Verse 3 describes God as a consuming fire. Nothing can stand in His way. Verse 4 speaks of His unrivaled awe. Verse 5 is a direct attack on the gods of the wicked. In the time of this psalm, the wicked believed their gods lived in the mountains, and they would worship them in high places. God melts those places like wax. In verse 6, the heavens proclaim God; they are higher than the hills! With this in mind, the gods of this world are disgraced, along with those who worship them (vs. 7). None can contend or challenge the LORD God.
For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. (Psalm 97:9, ESV)
The question in the rest of this psalm is: Who or what do we love? According to verse 7, we brag (NLT) about our gods. Verse 10 indicates that the godly love the LORD God and hate evil. If the true God is our God, we will hear ourselves bragging about Him! Our living will indicate that we love righteousness! And what is the reason for great rejoicing and gladness? God is king, a just king (vs. 8), protecting the godly, rescuing them from the power of the wicked (vs. 10), and giving them light for their path and joy in their hearts. May all who are godly rejoice (vs. 12)!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Psalms 95; 97-99.