Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 97

These psalms challenge the doubts created by the exile (see Psalm 89) and answer the questions asked in Psalm 90:11, 13. The Lord has established a kingdom (Psalm 93) that is characterized by:

• punishment of the wicked (Psalm 94),

• respectful obedience among his people (Psalm 95),

• justice for the poor (Psalm 96),

• celebration in Zion (Psalm 97),

• salvation for Israel (Psalm 98),

• holiness (Psalm 99), and

• praise (Psalm 100).

God is greatly exalted over the gods and over all the earth. Awe-inspiring phenomena accompany his coming. Even the created order is visibly affected and the wicked perish, but the people of Zion love his coming and rejoice.

The distant shores represent the most remote parts of the world.

Clouds … Fire … lightning: This language shows that the Lord is coming to judge.

All creation responds to the coming of its King. He alone deserves worship.

• When the Lord comes into the world, the heavens announce his righteousness (Psalm 50:6).

• Every nation will see the clear display of the Lord’s glory (see Psalm 8:1; 19:1–4a; 24:7; Isaiah 40:5).

At the Lord’s coming, when every god must bow to him, those who worship other gods will face their own foolishness (see Psalm 95:3–5).

Jerusalem rejoices at the news of the Lord’s coming, for he brings justice and rescues the upright of heart.

Godly people who live with integrity (see Proverbs 2:7, 21; 3:32; 11:6, 11; 14:2) have hearts that are right before the Lord. They maintain a relationship with the Lord and live rightly with others (Psalms 94:15; 125:4).

The wicked plan to destroy the godly (Psalm 11:2), but the Lord rescues them (11:1; 36:10). Then the sorrows of the godly turn into joy and praise (Psalms 32:11; 64:10; 111:1; 119:7).