OLD TESTAMENT

Psalms 97

The Holy Bible · English
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1

The LORD reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 1. David. His name occurs not in Hebrew though the psalm is worthy of him. Bert.—It may refer to the return from captivity, as a figure of the world’s redemption.—Things. In rescuing his people from slavery, and in the incarnation. Calmet.—For him. Or alone. Menochius.—Christ raised himself by his own power. Calmet. Isaiah 62:5.—He redeemed mankind for his own glory, sibi. Bert.

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2

Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 2. Salvation. Cyrus, or the Messias, whose gospel is preached every where, ( Calmet.) and who has saved the world. Worthington.

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3

A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 3. Israel. The prophets foretold the liberation of the Jew, and of mankind. The blessed Virgin seems to allude to this passage. Lu. 1:55. Calmet.—Some Jews were converted. Romans 11. Worthington.

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4

His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.

5

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6

The heavens declare his righteousness. All the peoples have seen his glory.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 6. Cornet. This was a crooked horn; the trumpets were of metal. Numbers 10:2. Calmet.

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7

Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images, who boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods!

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

LXX reads “angels” instead of “gods”.

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8

Zion heard and was glad. The daughters of Judah rejoiced because of your judgments, LORD.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 8. Hands. These strong oriental expressions hardly suit our language. Calmet.—They contain a metaphor, and denote the inhabitants of the world, ( Bible.) or those rivers, which spring from Jesus Christ, and mountains, which are raised to heaven by his grace, to praise the Redeemer. Saint Augustine—Then the just are exhorted to lift up their heads. Menochius.

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9

For you, LORD, are most high above all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods.

10

You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of his saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

11

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

12

Be glad in the LORD, you righteous people! Give thanks to his holy Name.