Psalm 97 (96)
God reigns and the idols disappear. Already light shines on the just. Already it shines on the person of the risen Christ.
1 The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice;
let the distant islands be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness surround him;
justice and right are his throne.
3 Fire goes before him,
burning his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth watches and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax
before the Lord, the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his justice,
all peoples see his glory.
7 Shame on worshipers of idols,
on those proud of their worthless images.
Let all spirits bow before him.
8 Zion hears and rejoices,
and the cities of Judah exult,
because of your judgments, O God.
9 For you are the Master of the universe,
exalted far above all gods.
10 You who love the Lord, hate evil,
for he preserves the lives of his faithful,
he delivers them from their foes.
11 He sheds light upon the upright,
and gladness upon the just.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who are blameless,
and give praise to his holy name.
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Comments Psalms, Chapter 97
We often find it hard to share the enthusiasm and joy of the psalmist who sees so clearly the world divided between the good and the wicked. We rather see the world covered by a fog where each one has his own excuses and share of wickedness. The confusion is temporary, however, there is good seed and there are weeds, and each one goes towards what he prefers. God hates evil as much as he loves himself, and what cannot return to God should be destroyed.