Psalm 97:3-7

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 97:3

A fire goeth before him , Not the fiery law, which went forth from his right hand on Mount Sinai; but rather his Gospel, which, as it enlightens, warms, comforts, and refreshes his people, searches, torments, and destroys his enemies, and is the savour of death unto death to them; see Jeremiah 23:29 . Some apply this to the gifts of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, signified by cloven tongues of fire; but then no such effect followed as mentioned in the next clause: it seems best to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 97:4

His lightnings enlightened the world ,.... Either the doctrines of the Gospel, compared thereunto, because of the swift progress they made, and the large extent of them in the world, in a very little time; by the apostles they were published in all nations, and were the means of enlightening them in the true knowledge of themselves, and of the way of salvation by Christ: hence they are called the "lights of the world", Matthew 5:14 , as the coming of Christ, in his kingdom and power, by... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 97:6

The heavens declare his righteousness ,.... His justice in punishing his enemies; the lightning and the thunder in the heavens, the tokens of his wrath, and instruments of it; his wrath itself, which is revealed from heaven, Romans 1:18 , or the inhabitants of heaven, as Aben Ezra; the angels of heaven; so the Targum, "the angels on high (or of heaven, as in the king's Bible) declare his righteousness"; see Revelation 16:5 , it is true of the ministers of the Gospel, who are Christ's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 97:7

Confounded be all they that serve graven images ,.... Images of gold, silver, and stone, graven by art and man's device; to serve and worship which must be the grossest ignorance and stupidity, which, when convinced of, must fill with shame and confusion: this may be considered either as a prayer, that the idolatrous Gentiles might be enlightened to see the vanity of their idols, and their worship of them, and turn to the living God; or as a prophecy that it should be; for it may be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 97:3

A fire goeth before him - Literally, this and the following verse may refer to the electric fluid, or to manifestations of the Divine displeasure, in which, by means of ethereal fire, God consumed his enemies. But fire is generally represented as an accompaniment of the appearances of the Supreme Being. He appeared on Mount Sinai in the midst of fire, thunder, and lightninys, Exodus 19:16-18 . Daniel, Daniel 7:9 , Daniel 7:10 , represents the Sovereign Judge as being on a throne which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 97:4

His lightnings enlightened the world - Though this be no more than a majestic description of the coming of the Lord, to confound his enemies and succor his followers, yet some spiritualize the passage, and say, the lightnings signify the apostles, who enlightened the world by their heavenly doctrine. The earth saw, and trembled - The earth is represented as a sentient being. It saw the terrible majesty of God; and trembled through terror, fearing it should be destroyed on account of the... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 97:6

The heavens declare his righteousness - They also, in this poetic description, become intelligent beings, and proclaim the majesty and the mercy of the Most High. Metaphorically, they may be said to declare his glory. Their magnitude, number, revolutions, order, influence, and harmony, proclaim the wondrous skill, matchless wisdom, and unlimited power of the Sovereign of the universe. See the notes on Psalm 19:1-14 ; (note). And all the people see his glory - Whatsoever God has made... read more

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