Henry Ainsworth on Psalms 97

PSAL. XCVII.

IEhovah reigneth, let the earth be glad, let the many iles rejoyce. Cloud and gloomy darknesse are round about him, justice and judgement are the stable-place of his throne. Fire goeth before him, and flameth round about his distressers. His lightnings illuminate the world, the earth seeth and trembleth. The mountaines like waxe melt at the presence of Iehovah, at the presence of the Lord of all the earth. The heavens declare his justice, and all peoples see his glory. Abashed be all they that serve a graven thing, that gloriously boast themselves in vaine idols; bow downe your selves to him all ye Gods. Sion heareth and rejoyceth, and glad are the daughters of Iudah, because of thy judgements Iehovah. For thou Iehovah art high above all the earth, vehemently art thou exalted above all Gods. Ye lovers of Iehovah, hate evill; he keepeth the soules of his gracious Saints, hee will deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sowne for the just, and joy for the right of heart. Rejoyce ye just in Iehovah, and confesse to the remembrance of his holinesse.

Annotations. IEhovah] that is, Christ, called Iehovah our justice, Ier. 23. 5. 6. of him and his reigne is this Psalme, as the 7. verse manifesteth. the many iles] that is, nations or gentiles dwelling in the iles: as, the iles shall wait for his Law, Esa. 42. 4. which is expounded thus, the Gentiles shall trust in his name, Matth. 12. 21. So Esa. 60. 9. Vers. 2. gloomy darknesse] see Psa. 18. 10. this noteth the terrour of his doctrine and administration, Mal. 3. 2. Matth. 3. 12. as at the law giving, Deut. 4. 11. The Chaldee saith, A cloud of glory and gloomy darknesse. stable-place] establishment, or base: see Psal. 89. 15. Vers. 3. Fire] severe judgements for Christs enemies, as Esa. 42. 25. and 66. 15, 16. Ps. 50. 3. Vers. 4. illuminate] or have illumined: as at the giving of the law, there were thunders, lightnings, voices, earthquakes, &c. Exod. 19. so the like proceed from the throne of Christ, Rev. 4. 5. trembleth] or is pained; see Psal. 77. 17. Vers. 5. at the presence] or, from the face. Vers. 6. The heavens] heavenly creatures, as thunder, lightning, tempest, &c. or the Angels, as the Chaldee interpreteth. See Psal. 50. 6. Vers. 7. vaine idols] see Ps. 96. 5. allye Gods] that is, as the Greeke saith, all ye his Angels; see Psal. 8. 6. Vnto this the Apostle seemeth to have reference, saying, when he bringeth in his first begotten sonne into the world, he saith, And let all the Angels of God worship him, Heb. 1. 6. Although the very words of the Apostle are found in the Greeke version of Deut. 32. 43. but the Hebrew there hath none such. See the fulfilling of this, Luk. 2. 13, 14. Mark. 1. 13. Rev. 5. 11, 12. Vers. 8. daughters] that is, cities of Iudah, the Christian Churches: see Psal. 48. 12. Vers. 11. Light is sowen] that is comfort and joy is reserved after trouble, as Esth. 8. 16. but hidden for the present, as seed in the ground; for, we are dead, & our life is hid with Christ in God, Col. 3. 3. 4. & it doth not yet appeare what we shall be, 1 Ioh. 3. 2. Vers. 12. confesse to] that is, celebrate it. See Psal. 30. 5.