Why rejoice if God's coming is terrifying?
Holy judgment terrifies evil while rescuing the faithful and setting creation right. Joy and reverence correspond to different aspects of the same just reign.
PSALM 97 — THE LORD REIGNS: LET THE EARTH REJOICE
Why rejoice if God's coming is terrifying? Study Psalm 97 with context, apologetic analysis, and cross-references.
Psalm 973 questions
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Commentary provenance
Dr. Lucas D. Shallua Commentary · PSALM 97 — THE LORD REIGNS: LET THE EARTH REJOICE
The precise difficulties
- Why rejoice if God's coming is terrifying?
- Who are the “gods” in verse 7?
- Does hating evil justify hating evildoers?
Verse and question study
Who are the “gods” in verse 7?
The word can encompass heavenly beings or supposed deities. The command denies independent deity and requires every spiritual power to worship the LORD.
Does hating evil justify hating evildoers?
The verse commands moral rejection of evil as an expression of love for God. Other Scripture commands love and prayer for enemies while opposing what destroys them and others.
Historical and literary context
Psalm 97 is an anonymous enthronement hymn rich in Sinai and prophetic theophany imagery. The Greek superscription associates it with David and restoration of the land, but Hebrew gives no title. Hebrews 1:6 echoes or cites verse 7 in calling angels to worship the Son, possibly through the Greek wording. English Psalm 97 is Psalm 96 in Greek/Latin numbering.
Apologetic note
The psalm's hidden cloud and public righteousness prevent two distortions: mystery does not mean moral unknowability, and revelation does not make God controllable. His throne's ethical foundations give rational content to reverence. The psalm's polemic against idols is joined to a worldwide invitation to rejoice, distinguishing critique of false worship from hostility toward peoples. Its fire and melting mountains portray moral government in which evil cannot remain permanently insulated from judgment.
Chapter cross-references
- Exodus 19:16–20 Cloud, fire, and trembling reveal God at Sinai
- Psalm 89:6–14 Heavenly beings fear the righteous King
- Psalm 96:10–13 Earth rejoices before the coming Judge
- Isaiah 64:1–3 Mountains quake and melt at God's presence
- Micah 1:3–4 Mountains melt beneath the descending LORD
- Matthew 5:44 Love enemies while rejecting evil
- Romans 12:9 Genuine love abhors evil
- Hebrews 1:5–6 Angels worship the royal Son
- 1 Peter 1:3–9 Unseen hope grows toward revealed joy
- 2 Peter 3:10–13 The Lord's day brings judgment and righteous creation
- Revelation 5:11–14 Every heavenly creature worships God and the Lamb
- Revelation 19:11–16 Christ comes as righteous Judge
Source and editorial status
Dr. Shallua’s Commentary
This study preserves the hard questions, explanations, context, apologetic note, and references from Dr. Shallua's Commentary.