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97. Psalm 97

¹ The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
   let the distant shores rejoice.
² Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
   righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
³ Fire goes before him
   and consumes his foes on every side.
⁴ His lightning lights up the world;
   the earth sees and trembles.
⁵ The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
   before the Lord of all the earth.
⁶ The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
   and all peoples see his glory.

    ⁷ All who worship images are put to shame,
   those who boast in idols—
   worship him, all you gods!

    ⁸ Zion hears and rejoices
   and the villages of Judah are glad
   because of your judgments, LORD.
⁹ For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
   you are exalted far above all gods.
¹⁰ Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
   for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
   and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
¹¹ Light shines One Hebrew manuscript and ancient versions (see also 112:4); most Hebrew manuscripts Light is sown on the righteous
   and joy on the upright in heart.
¹² Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
   and praise his holy name.

10 Ye that love Jehovah, hate evil Those that fear God are here enjoined to practice righteousness, as Paul says,

“Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity,”
(2 Timothy 2:19)

He shows from the very nature of God, that we cannot be judged and acknowledged to be his servants unless we depart from sin, and practice holiness. God is in himself the fountain of righteousness, and he must necessarily hate all iniquity, unless we could suppose that he should deny himself; and we have fellowship with him only on the terms of separation from unrighteousness. As the persecution of the wicked is apt to provoke us to seek revenge, and unwarrantable methods of escape, the Psalmist guards us against this temptation, by asserting that God is the keeper and protector of his people. If persuaded of being under the Divine guardianship, we will not strive with the wicked, nor retaliate injury upon those who have wronged us, but commit our safety to him who will faithfully defend it. This gracious act of condescension, by which God takes us under his care, should serve as a check to any impatience we might feel in abstaining from what is evil, ¹⁰³¹⁰³ “De nous tenir en bride, de peur qu’il ne nous soit fascheux ou grief de nous abstenir de malice,” etc. — Fr. and preserving the course of integrity under provocation.