Psalm 97 🔊 1The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. 2Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. 3A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. 4His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. 5The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 6The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. 7Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods. 8Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. 9For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods. 10Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. 11Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Today's Scripture Meaning The Lord Jesus reigns in power that cannot be resisted. (1-7) His care of his people, and his provision for them. (8-12) Verses 1-7: Though many have been made happy in Christ, still there is room. And all have reason to rejoice in Christ's government. There is a depth in his counsels, which we must not pretend to fathom; but still righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Christ's government, though it might be matter of joy to all, will yet be matter of terror to some; but it is their own fault that it is so. The most resolute and daring opposition will be baffled at the presence of the Lord. And the Lord Jesus will ere long come, and put an end to idol worship of every kind. Verses 8-12: The faithful servants of God may well rejoice and be glad, because he is glorified; and whatever tends to his honour, is his people's pleasure. Care is taken for their safety. But something more is meant than their lives. The Lord will preserve the souls of his saints from sin, from apostacy, and despair, under their greatest trials. He will deliver them out of the hands of the wicked one, and preserve them safe to his heavenly kingdom. And those that rejoice in Christ Jesus, and in his exaltation, have fountains of joy prepared for them. Those that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. Gladness is sure to the upright in heart; the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. Sinners tremble, but saints rejoice at God's holiness. As he hates sin, yet freely loves the person of the repentant sinner who believes in Christ, he will make a final separation between the person he loves and the sin he hates, and sanctify his people wholly, body, soul, and spirit.
Today's Scripture Application Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the Book of Psalm with Chapter 97. In our text today we see a theme of how God is an awesome conqueror and He is righteous and just. The Heavens declare His Righteousness. In making application we see the Lord is how we measure His Holiness. Seeing who God is reflects to us how unholy we are, how we are sinners, and how we need a savior. Seeing our good works are as filthy rags to His Holiness we understand why Jesus had to die, to pay a price that we could not pay. How about you? Are you saved or are you try to work your way to Heaven? Let us learn from our Psalm and text today to remember that God is Holy and no works we do will be enough to attain Heaven so we must experience salvation to gain everlasting life.
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