Psalm 97 - Transcendence

Psalm 97:1-12 NIV

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. 

Clouds and thick darkness surround him;

 righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 

Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. 

His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. 

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. 

The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory.

All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols— 

 worship him, all you gods!

Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad

 because of your judgments, Lord. 

For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;

 you are exalted far above all gods.

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. 

Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. 

Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.

Psalm 97 is another call to worship. It celebrates the transcendent nature of God. God's presence is overwhelming. His approach is terrifying and powerful. Images used to express the awesome character of the creator are lighting, clouds and thick darkness, fire and quaking mountains. The picture I get in my mind is everybody running for cover in fear, like when the lights are turned on in the kitchen and the cockroaches scatter. It's not a picture that inspires trust, but it does remind us that we are merely creatures before our awesome creator.

At the same time this psalm celebrates the righteous and just nature of God. The foundation of His government is to do the right thing and pursue justice for all. That sounds like a God I can trust, one in whom I can hope. Those who are righteous love God and while they revere Him with a healthy fear, they take joy in worshiping and serving the Lord.

Others cringe before the judgments of God. They do not want His brand of righteousness as decreed in the law of Moses. They do not seek to build a just society in the manner described in the Bible. They serve other ideas and lesser powers.

Yet this psalm calls to idol worshipers to worship Yahweh. Even the so called gods they worship through the form of idols are called to worship the Lord of heaven and earth.

Hear the call to worship, all you who love the Lord. Hate what is evil. Trust in God's deliverance from wicked men. And rejoice in the Lord!