Saturday, May 12, 2012

Psalm 97

“1  The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad [thereof]. 2 Clouds and darkness [are] round about him: righteousness and judgment [are] the habitation of his throne. 3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. 4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. 5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. 7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all [ye] gods.”

“8  Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. 9 For thou, LORD, [art] high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods. 10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”

"The Lord reigneth"
In spite of how it might seem to us sometimes, God is in control of His creation.  He can, whenever He desires, bring an end to it all or turn things around.

"Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne"
We have read of the things God hates.
These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:  17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,  18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,  19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.


We learn from thispassage that not only does God have great love for certain things he also hates certain things. Now the word hate in this context also carries the meaning to detest or to abhor those things which are abominable. The word abominable means a disgusting thing or a scheme that that brings about evil. These things that God hates comes from persons heart. Notice Jesus says in,



Matthew 15:19 "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  20 "These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."
 But here we learn what God loves:  righteousness and judgment
Hebrews 1:8  But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
sceptre:
1. a ceremonial staff held by a monarch as symbol of authority
2. imperial authority; sovereignty

Righteousness is God's authority.  It's what makes Him sovereign.

Righteousness exalteth a nation.

Those who love righteousness also love the judgments of God because it is through adhering to His judgment and wisdom that righteousness comes.

As long as we hate evil and love righteousness (shown by our choices), then God will be there to preserve us and deliver us out of the hand of the wicked.