Before us is a call to sing a new song, and one may ask: why are new songs needed...
Before us is a call to sing a new song, and one may ask: why are new songs needed? Are the old ones not enough? Have they somehow become worse?
Of course they have not. But by composing new songs, we can feel anew, as if for the first time, what we are going to sing about. By expressing our feelings in new combinations of words that have never sounded before, we not only join the confession of faith of our great predecessors, but also strive, to the best of our own powers, however modest, to affirm that we ourselves are glad to remain in unity with the Creator.
At first such a call is addressed to people, which is natural; but then we see the psalmist extend the call to rejoice to the entire natural world. Here we have something greater than a poetic image, for not only our hearts but the whole universe must be transformed and must restore its unity with the Lord. This world could have been different if we human beings had proved worthy of the purpose for which we were created, but even now much depends on us. We are accountable not only for ourselves, but for the whole world entrusted to us.
97 Christ is the Alpha and Omega in this psalm. His government speaks terror to his enemies, Psa 97:1-7. And comfort to his friends, whom he preserves and delivers, Psa 97:8-12.
97:1 Isles - The Gentile nations, as this word, used Isa 42:4, is expounded, Mat 12:21.
97:2 Darkness - A dark cloud doth encompass him.
97:6 Heavens - The angels, yea God himself from heaven.
97:7 Confounded - Let them be ashamed of their folly. Gods - All you whom the Gentiles have made the objects of their worship.
97:8 Zion - Thy people dwelling in Zion or Jerusalem, to whom Christ came. Heard - The fame of thy judgments, and the setting up the kingdom of the Messiah.
97:11 Light - Joy and happiness. Sown - Is laid up for them.