Ps. 97:0 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm seems to have both the same author and the same scope with the former. And although the psalmist might take occasion to pen it from those signal manifestations of God’s power and righteousness on his behalf, and against his enemies, yet he had a further aim in it,…

The Lord reigneth; See Poole “Ps. 96:10”. The multitude of isles; the Gentile nations, as this word, being used Isa. 42:4, is expounded Matt. 12:21, even those which are most remote from Judea, (then the only seat of God’s people and worship,) from which they were divided by the sea, or to which…

Clouds and darkness are round about him; a dark cloud doth encompass him; wherein he seems to allude to that dark cloud in which God did anciently so often manifest his presence for the comfort of his saints, and for the terror and punishment of evil-doers.

This fire, and lightning, and earthquake, and the sad effects of them, mentioned here, and Ps. 97:4–5, signify those dreadful judgments of God which should be inflicted upon the Jews and others for their refusal and contempt of the Messias; which was foretold in the Old Testament, and accomplished…

His lightnings enlightened the world: this phrase signifies not so much illumination as terror and judgments, as appears both from the following words, and from the constant use of the phrase in that sense, as Ps. 18:14, Ps. 144:6;c.

The hills; the strongest and loftiest parts of the earth; whereby he may understand the great potentates of the world who set themselves against the Messias.

The heavens; either, 1. The thunders, and lightnings, and tempests sent from heaven to plead his righteous cause against his enemies. Or, 2. The angels, yea, God himself from heaven, who gave manifest testimony to the righteousness of the Messias.

Confounded be all they; let them be ashamed of their former folly herein, and be thereby brought to detest and forsake them; and those who will obstinately persist in their impiety and idolatry, let them be brought to confusion.

Zion; thy people dwelling in Zion, or Jerusalem, and Judah, to whom Christ came, and among whom the gospel was first preached. Or, thy church and people, who both in the prophetical writings are oft called Zion.

As thou always wert so in truth, so thou hast now proved and declared thyself to be such in the eyes of the whole world, by subduing them under thy feet.

Ye that love the Lord; O all you who love and worship the true God and his anointed, and rejoice in the establishment of his kingdom. Hate evil; show your love to him by your abhorrency of all idolatry, which is sometimes called evil or sin by way of eminency, and of all other wickedness.

Light, i.e. joy and felicity, as this word is used, Est. 8:16, Ps. 112:4, and oft elsewhere. Is sown; is prepared or laid up for them, and shall in due time be reaped by them, possibly in this life, but undoubtedly in the next.

In consideration of his holy and righteous nature and government, or of his faithfulness in making good that great promise of sending the Messias into the world; for holiness is sometimes taken for faithfulness, which is one part or branch of it.