Psalms 97:1,2

Psalms 97:1

We have set before us in this text:

I. The fact of the Divine government of the universe. There is no atheismhere: "the Lord." There is no polytheismhere: "the Lord" one. There is no pantheismhere: "the Lord " One different from the world that is ruled over. (1) The sacred singer here speaks of a God who exercises a personal agency in the universe. "The Lord reigneth." That implies power. (2) The psalmist suggests to us the fact that this personal agency of God is carried on in a regular and ordinary way. The words are, "The Lord reigneth;" and we read also in the passage of "His throne."

II. A second point is the mystery and awfulness of the Divine government. "Clouds and darkness are round about Him." The symbol expresses three ideas: (1) the majesty, (2) the incomprehensibility, (3) the judgments, that characterise the Divine government.

III. The moral excellence of the Divine government. "Justice and judgment are the habitations of His throne."

IV. The feelings which a contemplation of this Divine government is fitted to excite. (1) There is first the feeling of awe and contrition. (2) There is the feeling of joy.

W. Morison, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xi., p. 126.

References: Psalms 97:1. Preacher's Monthly,vol. iv., p. 308. Psalms 97:2. T. Rogers, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvii., p. 253. H. Melvill, Penny Pulpit,No. 2603.Psalms 97:10. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. iv., No. 208.