Wired for Worship---Psalm 97

Words in italics are from the Bible.

[Words in brackets are from Scott]

 

Psalm 97

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.

 

[Why is it that I so often forget this about my God?  He is huge, amazing and burns up His enemies (and mine) even before they get to me.  And I really like the way this begins. “The Lord reigns.”  He is the ultimate winner.  He wins everything.  Sometimes he may let me have my way, but I end up wallowing in my sin and I come back to him…see, He wins!]

 

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 the peoples see his glory.

 

[I probably complain too much about not seeing what God is doing.  But if I am honest…I am really not looking that often.  I spend more time looking at myself (not in a weird way) …I spend way too much time looking at what I am doing and thinking about what I am going to do next…instead of asking God what He wants me to do next.  Maybe I resist his presence because the mountains melt like wax in his presence.  I’ve seen enough horror movies…that doesn’t sound cool.  But I don’t really think that’s what the author was thinking.]

 

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, O LORD.

For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;

you are exalted far above all gods. 

 

[YIKES…I have put my trust in way too many things other than God.  God, please forgive me today for putting things ahead of you in my life.  I don’t want to do that any more!]

 

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.

 

[I like this part.  Finally some hope.  He delivers me from the hand of the wicked.  What a cool image.  God, the “bully buster.”  Stepping in when I am about to be crushed and beaten up by my enemies.  Many times I have prayed that he would come NOW…but he waits…watching…when he sees the enemy ready to finish me off…he intercedes.  He is my rescuer!  Thank you God for being my rescuer!]

 

Light is shed upon the righteous

and joy on the upright in heart.

Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,

and praise his holy name.

 

...by Scott Greene