1 The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice!  Let the farthest coastlands be glad. 2-7 Dark clouds surround him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire spreads ahead of him and burns up all his foes. His lightning flashes out across the world. The earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness; every nation sees his glory. Those who worship idols are disgraced - all who brag about their worthless gods -  for every god must bow to him.

8-9 Jerusalem has heard and rejoiced, and all the towns of Judah are glad because of your justice, O Lord! For you, O Lord, are supreme over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

10 You who love the Lord, hate evil!  He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. 11 Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right. 12 May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord and praise his holy name! Psalm 97 New Living Translation paraphrase (English Standard Version link)

There's a well known and well loved hymn that goes: “Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder - consider all the works your hand have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder - your power throughout the universe displayed.” Verses 2-7 of today's Psalm express the same sort of awe at God's greatness which is on display to all the nations of the world every time there is a mighty flashing storm. It may've been such a storm which shaped the writers thoughts. But he may also have been using figurative language to describe some recent event in which one of Israel's idol worshiping enemy nations had been shattered.

We’re not told the background to the Psalm but verses 8-9 speak of Jerusalem rejoicing when they heard the news and all the towns of Judah rejoicing that God's justice had been done. God had done something that had shown He is indeed King of all creation and supreme over all the earth. What does the writer say the affect of such a demonstration of God's power should be on those who love God? (vs 10-12)

They should have a firmer resolve to hate all that is evil. Sin is something to be rejected and fled from. But they should also take courage in the knowledge that God's power is able to protect and rescue them from their enemies. He brings the light of His truth into their lives and the joy of His salvation to their hearts. Such things call for rejoicing and songs of praise like the one at the start of this post.

But this isn't just an Old Testament truth. The Psalm writer seemed to be reflecting on a great act of God's power that had taken place. But listen to what Paul prayed for those who have come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: “I pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else - not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church.” (Ephesians 1:19-22)

In raising Jesus from the tomb God displayed His awesome power over all the enemies of those who love Him. Death itself has been defeated. Satan and all idols have been put to shame. Jesus is Lord! Let all the world rejoice. Those who have believed on Christ have God's light and joy in their lives. The Psalm ends with the words “May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord and praise his holy name.” Believing hearts respond – amen, amen!