Psalm 97
The Lord Reigns
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Intro
Psalm 97 is a hymn of praise that focuses on the majesty, power, and justice of God's reign. When viewed through the lens of the New Covenant, it reminds us of the sovereignty of Jesus Christ, His righteousness, and His second coming when He will reign forever.
Section 1: The Reign and Majesty of God (Verses 1-6)
"The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad. Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Fire goes before Him and burns up His adversaries round about. His lightnings lit up the world; the earth saw and trembled. The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples have seen His glory."
Harmony
The reign and majesty of God is echoed in Revelation 19:6, where it is proclaimed that the Lord God omnipotent reigns.
Talking Points:
The proclamation of God's reign over all creation.
The awe-inspiring majesty and power of God.
The righteous and just foundation of God's throne.
Questions:
How can acknowledging God's reign over all creation affect our worldview and how we live?
How does the majesty and power of God inspire awe and reverence in us?
Why are righteousness and justice integral aspects of God's rule?
Section 2: Idolatry vs. Worship of the True God (Verses 7-9)
"Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols; worship Him, all you gods. Zion heard this and was glad, and the daughters of Judah have rejoiced because of Your judgments, O Lord. For You are the Lord Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods."
Harmony
The condemnation of idolatry and the call to worship the true God aligns with 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, where it is affirmed that there is no God but one.
Talking Points:
The foolishness and futility of idolatry.
The call to worship the true God.
The supremacy of God over all false gods.
Questions:
How does recognizing the futility of idolatry affect our understanding of true worship?
How can we ensure that we are worshipping the true God?
What does God's supremacy over all false gods tell us about His nature?
Section 3: Rejoicing in God’s Protection (Verses 10-12)
"Hate evil, you who love the Lord, who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones, and give thanks to His holy name."
Harmony
The call to hate evil and the promise of God's protection is echoed in Romans 12:9 and 2 Thessalonians 3:3, where believers are encouraged to hate what is evil and are assured of God's faithfulness to strengthen and protect them from the evil one.
Talking Points:
The command to hate evil.
God's protection for His righteous ones.
The call to rejoice and give thanks to God.
Questions:
What does it look like to hate evil in our daily lives?
How have you personally experienced God's protection in your life?
How can we cultivate a spirit of joy and thankfulness in our relationship with God?
Summary:
Psalm 97:1-12 is a proclamation of the Lord's reign, the foolishness of idolatry, and the joy and protection found in righteousness.
In the New Covenant, this psalm parallels the themes of Christ's sovereignty (Revelation 19:6), the call to reject false gods and worship the one true God (1 Corinthians 8:4-6), and the command to abhor evil while rejoicing in the Lord's protection (Romans 12:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:3).
This Psalm encourages believers to embrace the majesty and righteousness of Christ's reign, to commit to the worship of the one true God, and to live righteously, filled with joy and gratitude.