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Psalm 97

Jorine Johnson

March 7, 2016

1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;

let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;

righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him

and burns up his adversaries all around.

4 His lightnings light up the world;

the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,

and all the peoples see his glory.

7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,

who make their boast in worthless idols;

worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and is glad,

and the daughters of Judah rejoice,

because of your judgments, O Lord.

9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;

you are exalted far above all gods.

10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil!

He preserves the lives of his saints;

he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous,

and joy for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,

and give thanks to his holy name!

This psalm demonstrates the great and awesome power of God. The Lord’s reign is forever and ever. All of creation worships and submits to His great authority. The weather such as lightning occurs at the permission of God. Verse 5 says how the mountains which are so great, mighty, and tall melt like wax before the Lord. Verse 9 says how God is higher than anything else on the earth. And since our God is sovereign, all powerful, and in control, so it brings reassurance that our God is able to preserve the lives of the saints or believers. He will most certainly bring deliverance. 

We can experience the all powerful nature of God when we struggle with sin, depression, anxiety, or anything that acts as a Goliath, coming before us to defeat, subjugate, and oppress us. Our God is one who has power to defeat the struggles and conquer us in our rebellion so we may experience the presence and the freedom of God. We have nothing to fear and worry as our God reigns forever and ever!