Psalms
Chapter 97
The Lord Reigns, the Earth Rejoices
The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the distant islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness surround him; justice and right, are his throne.
Fire goes before him, burning his foes on every side.
His lightning lights up the world; the earth watches and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice, all peoples see his glory.
Shame on worshipers of idols, on those proud of their worthless images. Let all spirits bow before him.
Zion hears and rejoices, and the cities of Judah exult, because of your judgments, O God.
For you are the Master of the universe, exalted far above all gods.
You who love the Lord, hate evil, for he preserves the lives of his faithful; he delivers them from their foes.
He sheds light upon the upright, and gladness upon the just.
Rejoice in the Lord, you, who are blameless; and give praise to his holy name.
Commentaries
97
The glory, magnificence, and splendor of God could be so overwhelming that it might strike us with fear, causing us to cry out like St. Peter, ‘Depart from us!’ But that very glory is our light (v. 11); we are even called to share in it. Therefore, the majesty of God is not something to fear but a reason for joy.
We often find it challenging to share the enthusiasm and joy of the psalmist, who sees the world divided between the good and the wicked. We would prefer to see a foggy world where each of us has their own excuses and shares in wickedness. The confusion is temporary. Still, there are good seeds and weeds, and each person tends toward their own preference. God hates evil as much as He loves Himself, and what cannot return to God should be destroyed.