Psalm 97:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 97:1-7

What was to be said among the heathen in the foregoing psalm (Ps. 96:10) is here said again (Ps. 97:1) and is made the subject of this psalm, and of Ps. 99:1-9. The Lord reigns; that is the great truth here laid down. The Lord Jehovah reigns, he that made the world governs it; he that gave being gives motion and power, gives law and commission, gives success and event. Every man's judgment proceeds from the Lord, from his counsel and providence, and in all affairs, both public and private, he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 97:5

The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord ,.... Kimchi interprets the "hills" of the kings of the wicked; and it was verified in Herod and his nobles, and the citizens of Jerusalem, who, when they heard of the coming of the Messiah, of the birth of the King of the Jews, were exceedingly moved and troubled; their hearts melted like wax within them, Matthew 2:1 , so when he appeared, in the power of his Gospel, in the Gentile world, and went forth in the ministration of it,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 97:5

The hills melted like wax - The fire of God seized on and liquefied them, so that they no longer opposed his march; and the mountains before him became a plain. The Lord of the whole earth - הארץ כל אדון adon col haarets , the Director, Stay, and Support of the whole earth. The universal Governor, whose jurisdiction is not confined to any one place; but who, having created all, governs all that he has made. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 97:1-12

Metrically, the psalm consists of four stanzas, each of three verses. There is nothing in its contents to fix its date. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 97:1-12

Jehovah is King. The subject of this psalm, as of the whole group to which it belongs, is the reign of Christ. Some glorious revival in the Jewish Church so uplifted the thought of the writer of these psalms that he sees, as if already present, that blessed advent and reign of the Lord which, whilst it must be the confusion of his adversaries, must also be the everlasting joy of his faithful people. We observe - I. THE AFFIRMATION or THESE PSALMS —that Jehovah is King. "The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 97:3-5

The sign of the storm god (comp. Exodus 19:1-25 .; 20.; Habakkuk 3:1-19 .; Hebrews 12:18-21 ; see also Psalms 77:17 , Psalms 77:18 ). There is here an evident reference to an Eastern thunderstorm. Lightning and thunder, among all superstitious peoples, are regarded as special manifestations of the Deity. To us storms are but nature forces, having their intensity, and their comings and goings, according to ordinary nature laws. But poetry can now do, better than superstition, what... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 97:5

The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord (comp. 5:5 ; Isaiah 64:1 ; Micah 1:4 ). The earth itself is regarded as not only shaken ( Psalms 97:4 ), but as melting and crumbling away at the descent of God from heaven to earth. At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth (comp. Joshua 3:11 , Joshua 3:13 .; Micah 4:13 ; Zechariah 4:14 ; Zechariah 6:5 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 97:5

The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord - They seemed to flow down as if they were like melted wax: that is, they could not stand before him. The most firm, solid, lofty things were as nothing in his presence. Compare Revelation 20:11; Judges 5:5; Micah 1:4; Nahum 1:5. The object here is to describe the sublimity, the greatness, the majesty of God, as if nothing could stand before him; as if everything fled away when he approached. There is perhaps a general allusion to his glory... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 97:3-5

Psalms 97:3-5. A fire goeth before him, &c. “The judgments of God, and their effects upon the world, are here set forth, under the usual similitude of lightning and fire from heaven, causing the earth to tremble, and the mountains to melt and dissolve away.” And by these terrible appearances in the natural world are especially signified those dreadful judgments of God, which were to be inflicted upon the Jews and others for their contempt and rejection of the Messiah, which was foretold... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 97:1-12

Psalms 97-100 God the universal kingPsalms 97:0 follows on from the thought on which the previous psalm closed (namely, that God is king over the earth). It shows that holiness, righteousness and justice are the basis of God’s kingdom. His judgment will be as universal as a flash of lightning and as powerful as an all-consuming fire (97:1-5). Every thing will bow before his rule (6-7). His own people already recognize him as Lord and bring him fitting worship (8-9). They can experience the... read more

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