Psalms 97

The Lord reigns—let earth rejoice; many coastlands be glad. Wesley: Isles—Gentile nations (cf. Isa 42:4; Matt 12:21). Where they meet: reign; earth and coastlands glad.

Gentile coastlands are invited into joy. Reign is public good news, not private speculation.

Calvin: Jehovah reigns; earth rejoice; many isles be glad—reign announced so the world may take courage; isles share the summons.

Lord reigns; earth and coastlands glad. Royal present tense grounds worldwide rejoicing.

Wesley: Darkness—a dark cloud encompasses him. Hidden majesty; righteous foundation.

Cloud does not void justice. What you cannot see still sits on righteousness.

Calvin: clouds and darkness round him; righteousness and judgment the habitation of his throne—majesty veiled, yet the throne's base is moral certainty.

Clouds; darkness; righteousness; justice. Mystery without moral fog.

A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side. Both traditions hear: preceding fire; consumed foes.

Adversaries meet holiness as fire. Do not romanticize the burn—fear and trust the King.

Calvin: fire goes before his face and burns enemies round about—judicial flame escorting the reign.

Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries. Reign includes judgment, not only cheer.

The earth sees, and trembles.

Illumination is also alarm. Sight of glory shakes the ground of pride.

Calvin: lightnings lighten the world; earth sees and trembles—manifest power produces holy quake.

His lightning lights the world, and the earth trembles. Revelation unsettles before it comforts.

Mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. Both confess: melting heights; universal lordship.

Permanence of mountains is relative. Lord of the whole earth outlasts every ridge.

Calvin: hills melt like wax before Jehovah, before the Lord of the whole earth—creation's pillars soften at his presence.

Melt like wax; Lord of the whole earth. Geography yields to the King.

Heavens proclaim his righteousness; all peoples see his glory. Wesley: Heavens—angels, yea God himself from heaven. Proclaimed righteousness; seen glory.

Heaven's witness is public. Peoples seeing glory is the point of proclamation.

Calvin: heavens have declared his righteousness; all people seen his glory—open vindication of the reigning God.

Heavens proclaim; peoples see. Glory is not smuggled in secret only.

Image-worshipers put to shame; boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods! Wesley: Confounded—ashamed of folly; Gods—objects of Gentile worship. Either reading: idol shame; summons to worship the true God.

Shame is mercy's alarm. Even so-called gods are told to bow.

Calvin: ashamed be those who serve graven images and glory in inventions; all gods, worship before him—idolatry exposed; every rival summoned low.

Shame for idols; worship him. Boast in emptiness ends at his feet.

Zion heard and was glad; daughters of Judah rejoiced because of your judgments. Wesley: Zion—people in Zion/Jerusalem to whom Christ came; Heard—fame of judgments and setting up Messiah's kingdom.

Judgments are gospel news for Zion. Hearing precedes gladness—keep ears open.

Calvin: Zion heard and was glad; daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments—covenant city cheers when God vindicates his reign.

Holy verdicts are the Church's joy, not embarrassment.

You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; exalted far above all gods. Both sides agree: most high; far above gods.

The language of height silences every rival. Exaltation is already true—confess it.

Calvin: thou, Jehovah, art high above all the earth; exalted far above all gods—reason for Zion's gladness.

Most high; exalted above gods. Vertical supremacy explains horizontal joy (v. 8).

You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves saints' lives; delivers from the wicked. Love entails hate of evil; preservation; deliverance.

Love is not soft on evil. Saints are kept and delivered—live like those loved by a holy King.

Calvin: hate evil, you who love Jehovah; he preserves souls of his meek/saints and delivers them from the wicked—love of God and hatred of evil are paired; preservation is promised.

Love the Lord; hate evil; preserves; delivers. Ethic and comfort travel together.

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Wesley: Light—joy and happiness; Sown—laid up for them.

Sown means future harvest, not always present blaze. Wait for the crop of joy.

Calvin: light has been sown for the righteous, gladness for the upright—seed now, harvest sure under the reigning Lord.

Light sown; joy for upright. Deferred brightness is still secured brightness.

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous; give thanks to his holy name. Shared close: rejoice; thanks; holy name.

Holiness remembered becomes thanksgiving. Righteous joy is God-centered, not self-congratulating.

Calvin: rejoice in Jehovah, you righteous; give thanks at the memorial of his holiness—holy name is the theme of thanks.

Rejoice; give thanks to his holy name. Reign (v. 1) ends in holy remembrance.