Psalm 97

Authorship

This Psalm is anonymous.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. The Lord reigns. (1)

A. The earth rejoices.

B. The islands are glad.

II. The Lord who reigns: (2)

A. Is covered by clouds and darkness.

B. Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne.

III. The response from the enemy: A fire goes before Him to burn up the enemy. (3)

IV. The response from the earth to His reign: (4-6)

A. His lightening enlightened the world and they trembled.

B. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord.

C. The heavens declare His righteousness.

(Remember from previous psalms: The Heavens declare His glory. In the end times, there will be signs in the heavens.)

D. All the people see His glory.

V. The response of various groups to His reign. (7-12)

A. From those who worship idols: They are confounded.

B. From Zion: They are glad.

C. From the daughters of Judah: They rejoice:

1. Because of God’s judgments.

2. Because the Lord is high above the earth.

3. Because He is exalted above all gods.

D. From those who love Him.

1. They hate evil.

2. The souls of His saints are preserved.

3. They are delivered from the hand of the wicked.

E. From the righteous.

1. Light.

2. Gladness.

3. Joy and thanksgiving.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 97,5 מִלִּפְנֵי...מִלִּפְנֵי {B} MT, G, Hebr, T // abr-styl: S clav מִלִּפְנֵי

Ps 97,10A אֹהֲבֵי {A}

Ps 97,10B שִׂנְאוּ {B} MT, G, α', Hebr, T / / lic: S

Ps 97,11 ַזָרֻע {C} MT, α'σ' // err-graph: G, Hebr, S clav זרח / dbl: T