Psalms

Psalms 97: Rejoice before the holy reigning LORD

Begin in prayer

Before we hear of the holy King's glory and judgments, let us bring Him the evil we have excused. Ask the reigning Lord for faith in Jesus and a thankful love that learns to hate the sin He judges.

A fiery stream issued and came out from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

Daniel 7:10

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the holy Lord reigns with justice, preserves His people and calls them to hate evil. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The Lord's reign calls earth and distant islands to gladness before a throne founded on righteousness and justice. Clouds and darkness surround Him while fire consumes His adversaries and lightning makes the earth tremble. Mountains melt like wax before the Lord, whose righteousness the heavens declare and whose glory all peoples have seen. Idol worshippers are called to shame, and every rival must bow before Him. Zion and Judah rejoice because His judgments show Him exalted above the earth and all gods. Those who love Him must hate evil, trusting His preserving care and giving thanks for the light and gladness He sows for the upright.

As you read Psalms 97, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The righteous LORD reigns, judges idols and preserves His people, sowing light and gladness for the upright.

Distant islands widen the song's gladness to lands beyond Israel, because the Lord's reign reaches the whole earth. Clouds and darkness surround His throne, yet righteousness and justice give His rule a trustworthy foundation. The consuming fire and trembling earth reveal the danger of opposing the King whose presence melts mountains like wax. Heaven's witness makes His glory public, exposing the shame of people who boast in images that cannot rule. Calling all gods to worship Him declares His supremacy over every claimed rival. Zion and Judah rejoice because His judgments vindicate the Lord they worship as Most High. Love for that holy Lord requires hatred of evil, joining glad worship to a changed allegiance in daily life. His preservation and deliverance give His people confidence while the wicked threaten them. Light and gladness are pictured as seed sown for the upright, promising a harvest that gives them reason to thank His holy name.

How does Psalm 97 show us that the righteous LORD reigns, judges idols and preserves His people, sowing light and gladness for the upright?

God's righteous reign exposes every idol and overcomes His adversaries.

Dark clouds cannot hide the righteous foundation of His throne. Fire, lightning and melting mountains display the force of His holy presence. Images bring shame to their worshippers before the Lord whom every rival is called to worship.

God preserves His people and calls them to hate evil.

Zion's gladness answers judgments that show the Lord's greatness. Those who love Him must oppose the evil that His holiness condemns. His preserving care and the light He sows give the upright reason for thankful joy.

Memorise

You who love Yahweh, hate evil. He preserves the souls of his saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what evil am I excusing while I say I love Jesus?

The psalm commands, “You who love Yahweh, hate evil.” The holy King preserves His people and sows light for the upright. His righteous throne also exposes idols and consumes the adversaries who oppose Him.

We have loved sins that His holiness condemns. Jesus took the death His people deserved, bearing the punishment of their rebellion against God. He rose to life in victory. His saving work is enough for their pardon and peace, with no unpaid debt left for them to meet.

Turn from your cherished sin and come to Jesus in faith. He grants forgiveness to everyone who trusts Him. Ask Him to uncover the loyalties that have competed with His rightful rule. Their holy King's preserving care gives believers reason for thanks and strength to fight the evil within their own hearts.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the holy Lord reigns with justice, preserves His people and calls them to hate evil. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His righteous reign and ask for hearts that hate evil and trust His preserving care. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.

John 1:5

Holy Lord, please expose the idols that have taken our trust and the sins we have treated lightly. Bring us to Jesus for the pardon His sacrifice has secured. Give Your people hatred of evil and confidence in Your preserving care. Teach our home to rejoice in Your righteous judgments and thank You for the light You sow for the upright. Amen.