Psalms 97 - Introduction

A.M. 2959. B.C. 1045.

The LXX. call this “A Psalm of David after his land was restored to him;” that is, as Bishop Patrick explains it, after he was made master of all those countries which God anciently designed to be the inheritance of Israel: see 1 Chronicles 18:1. But, in its sublimer meaning, it belongs to the kingdom of Christ, who, as Henry observes, is the Alpha and Omega of this Psalm, as well as of the last. This appears from the 7th verse, which the apostle to the Hebrews quotes, and applies to Christ's royal power and authority over angels; and in this light the Hebrew rabbins themselves, as Kimchi confesses, view this Psalm. Agreeably to this, the title of the Psalm, in the Syriac version, says, “The psalmist foretels the coming of Christ.” The attentive reader will observe a great similarity between this and the eighteenth Psalm; the poetical imagery of both is exceedingly lofty and grand; the thoughts and style of both so much alike, that it cannot be questioned whether they were both written by the same hand: see Dodd. Here the reign of Christ is celebrated, and the nations are called to rejoice on account of it, Psalms 97:1; Psalms 97:2. He is described as taking vengeance on his enemies, overthrowing idolatry, and commanding the adoration of all creatures, Psalms 97:3. As inspiring gladness into the church, by subduing her enemies, Psalms 97:8; Psalms 97:9. The duties of holiness, thankfulness, and religious joy are inculcated, Psalms 97:10.