Psalm 97:1-2

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 97:1

The Lord reigneth ,.... He has reigned, now reigns, will and must reign until all enemies are made his footstool; See Gill on Psalm 93:1 ; see Gill on Psalm 96:10 , let the earth rejoice : not the land of Judea only, and the inhabitants of it, to whom the King Messiah came; for there were but few among them that received him, and rejoiced at his coming; but the whole earth, the vast continent, as distinguished from the isles after mentioned, and they that dwell upon it; the Gentiles,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 97:2

Clouds and darkness are round about him ,.... Either as a garment; so Apollinarius paraphrases it, "near is the King clothed with a cloud and tempest;' and it is usual with the Heathens to represent their deities as surrounded or clothed with a cloud F19 "Et Venus aethereos inter dea candida nimbos", Virgil. Aeneid. 8. "Venus circumdata nimbo", ib. Aeneid. 12. "Nube candentes humeros amictus augur Apollo", Horat. Carmin. l. 1. Ode 2. so Homer. Il. 5. v. 186. : here the allusion is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 97:1

The Lord reigneth - Here is a simple proposition, which is a self-evident axiom, and requires no proof: Jehovah is infinite and eternal; is possessed of unlimited power and unerring wisdom; as he is the Maker, so he must be the Governor, of all things. His authority is absolute, and his government therefore universal. In all places, on all occasions, and in all times, Jehovah reigns. But this supreme King is not only called hwhy Yehovah, which signifies his infinite and eternal being,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 97:2

Clouds and darkness are round about him - It is granted that this is a subject which cannot be comprehended. And why? Because God is infinite; he acts from his own counsels, which are infinite; in reference to ends which are also infinite: therefore, the reasons of his government cannot be comprehended by the feeble, limited powers of man. There must be clouds and darkness - an impenetrable obscurity, round about him; and we can no more comprehend him in what is called aeternitas a parte... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 97:1

Verse 1 1Jehovah reigns His inviting men to rejoice, is a proof that the reign of God is inseparably connected with the salvation and best happiness of mankind. And, the joy he speaks of being common to the whole world and to the regions beyond the seas, it is evident that he predicts the enlargement of God’s kingdom, which had been confined within the narrow boundaries of Judea, to a far wider extent. The Psalmist, in setting forth the various particulars of the Divine glory in the four verses... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 97:1

The Lord reigneth; or, the Lord has become King—has ascended his throne (comp. Psalms 93:1 ; Psalms 96:10 ). Let the earth rejoice. When God condescends to appear on earth, the earth is bound to rejoice. His coming cannot but improve the condition of affairs. Let the multitude of isles (literally, the many isles ) be glad thereof . Even "the isles"—the abode of the Gentiles—are to feel joy, for they, too, at whatever cost ( Psalms 97:3 ), will be benefited. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 97:1

God's sovereignty. "The Lord reigneth." To a thoughtful, loving, earnest Christian heart, the spectacle of prevailing disorder, wrong, misery, in this world (today as in past ages) is a source of sometimes almost unbearable wonder and grief. Then it is unspeakable consolation to remember "the Lord reigneth" ( Psalms 11:3 , Psalms 11:4 ). As from his own sin and trouble he takes refuge in God's love; so from the apparent triumph of evil, in God's righteous rule. God's Kingship or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 97:1

The Lord reigneth. On this truth we observe— I. IT WAS THE FAITH OF ALL HOLY SCRIPTURE . The Law, the Prophets, the Psalms—these especially—the Gospels, the Epistles, and the Revelation, all alike declare this faith, and in varied form utter their "Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." II. THIS FAITH IS COMMENDED TO US BY ITS NEVER - FAILING FRUITFULNESS IS ALL MANNER OF GOOD . Some beliefs which men have long and largely... 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

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