Psalms 97:1-12
1 The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitudea of isles be glad thereof.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitationb of his throne.
3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
9 For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
The reign of Jehovah, while wholly beneficent in purpose and in ultimate issue, is yet full of terror and of judgment in its process toward the issue. This is also cause for rejoicing.
The method of God's judgments is described. They are mysterious, “Clouds and darkness are round about Him.” They are founded upon strictest justice, “Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.” They are forceful, “A fire goeth before Him.”
The effects of His judgments are declared. His adversaries are destroyed, His glory is revealed, His people are filled with joy. The vision of the certainty, method, and victory of the judgments of the King gives rise to a sense of their underlying reason. He is the Holy One, and all wickedness is hateful to Him because of the harm it works among His people, for the fierceness of God's holiness is ever His love. Therefore let His saints learn the lesson and “hate evil.” The promise to those who obey is very full of beauty. “Light is sown... and gladness.” It is a figure of the dawn, shedding its light everywhere. To hate evil is to walk in light. To walk in light is to be able to discover the true pathway leading toward the desired consummation. To walk in that pathway is to have gladness in the heart indeed.