NOTES for Psa 97

The first line expresses the central thought of the entire psalm, whose details the psalmist then sings. The Lord reigns: let the earth rejoice! The psalmist sees God’s throne, surrounded by the radiant flame of His mercy, as the center and foundation of the universe. Everything is ordered around this center; without it, the world turns into a chaotic accumulation of phenomena. Only the Creator’s reign gives the world harmony and meaning. This is one of the most important elements of biblical revelation about us and our life. For only from there, from God’s throne, do light, truth, and joy enter our life.