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PSALM

CHAPTER 97

1 The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. 2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

God is the Creator and Owner of all that there is. All they that love the Lord should rejoice in His Sovereign Majesty.

He rules in righteousness and deliverance (judgment). Though God is righteous, He desires to deliver sinful man.

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.

All created things declare God and His righteousness (verse 6).

God is powerful enough to destroy His enemies with just a WORD. That spoken word is like a consuming fire (verse 3).

God is the creator of lightning, and the Giver of enlightenment. Men tremble at the realization of God's Presence (verse 4).

When God appears upon the earth, His eyes shall be as a flame of fire, and He will consume His enemies with the "sword of His mouth"(Revelation 19:12-15). Even the hills will melt as wax before His Awesome Glory (verse 5).

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.

Men have through the ages made gods of metal and stone and wood. They have exercised their own imaginations to creat a god which doesn't exist. But all "gods" shall fall at the feet of the One God with Whom we have to do. ((The term "gods" is also used to refer to man --see Psalm 82:6))

Zion is literally the nation of Israel in Jerusalem. But figuratively it refers to all those who worship God. The people of God rejoice because of His deliverance and salvation.

God is the ONLY God. And He is revealed in the Person of Jesus Christ.

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.

Based on the previous statements of praise for a Holy and Sovereign God Who rules and reigns in majesty and righteousness, here is an exhortation.

The exhortation is to love the LORD and hate evil! God will preserve His saints. There is no need to FEAR evil. But there IS a need to fight against it!

This "light" is sown (or revealed) for those who love the Lord and are glad for His salvation.

Therefore, rejoice in God, and praise Him for His holiness.

PSALM 98

1 A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. 2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. 3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

The Lord has SHOWN His power over the earth. All we have to do is read the Bible to see that. And remember: the Bible has NEVER been proven untrue in any way, shape or form.

God has also shown his "salvation." He promised to save the Jewish nation so that a remnant of them would be present during the last days. He has done, and is doing so even today.

He also promised a Messiah to come from the Jewish nation. Jesus Christ came. He died on the cross and was placed in a tomb. But 3 days later, He came back from the tomb and showed His power over death, hell, and the grave.

Everywhere in the world, a cross is the symbol of this salvation SHOWN to the world.

4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. 5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. 6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

All people should rejoice in God's salvation. We should praise Him constantly for His goodness with which He showers us each day.

The Lord, Jesus is both SAVIOUR and KING of all mankind. He is DUE the praise that we give Him.

7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together 9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

One day, when Jesus appears again, the hills, the floods, and all the earth will rejoice at His Presence. Because when He comes again, He'll be coming to "judge" or deliver the world from the sinfulness of mankind.

Our God is worthy of GREAT PRAISE! It really bothers me when I see people in church singing songs in such low and weak voices! We should praise Him LOUDLY! We should praise Him CONSTANTLY!

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