Psalm 97 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 97 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
Verse 2Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Verse 3Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.
Verse 4His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
Verse 5The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.
Verse 6The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
Verse 7All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.
Verse 8Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God.
Verse 9For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
Verse 10The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
Verse 11Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
Verse 12Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
Devotion
The Psalm begins with the whole earth rejoicing and ends with the righteous rejoicing and giving thanks to God’s holy name. Rejoice means, “to be glad in,” or “take delight in.” Creation is taking delight in God, who is working in and through what He has made. God is an amazing king who rules in power and uses creation to make his kingdom known.
This king of power and justice has a tender side, a side of grace. We, the ones God has made, are called to take delight in God because he loves us, guards us and rescues us. From the large works of creation to the smallest details in our lives, God who is king is at work. What is it that you rejoice in? Do you take delight in things of this world and the ways of this world, or in the things of God?
Prayer
God of power and might, thank you that all of creation rejoices in you. We take delight in your greatness and the diversity of your Creation. We rejoice there is no God like you. Open our eyes to see you at work in and through your creation. Thank you that you love, guard and rescue us. May we take delight in all that you do. Amen.