Psalms 97:1

“The Lord reigneth, etc.] He has reigned, now reigns, will and must reign until all enemies are made his footstool; (see Gill on “<199301>Psalm 93:1”), (see Gill on “<199610>Psalm 96:10”), let the earth rejoice: not the land of Judea only, and the inhabitants of it, to whom the King Messiah came; for there were but few among them that received him, and rejoiced at his coming; but the whole earth, the vast continent, as distinguished from the isles after mentioned, and they that dwell upon it; the Gentiles, who had a concern in his coming, in whom they were to be blessed, to whom they were to be gathered, and in whom they should find a glorious rest; and therefore he is called the desire of…”

“In view of the wonders of grace and righteousness displayed in God's salvation, the whole creation is invited to unite in praise. (Psa 98:1-9) gotten . . . victory--literally, "made salvation," enabled Him to save His people. right hand, and . . . arm--denote power. holy arm--or, "arm of holiness," the power of His united moral perfections (Psa 22:3; Psa 32:11).”

“The Lord reigneth - See the notes at Psalms 93:1. This is the general fact to be dwelt upon; this is the foundation of joy and praise. The universe is not without a sovereign. It is not the abode of anarchy. It is not the production of chance. It is not subject to mere physical laws. It is not under the control of evil. It is under the government of a God: a wise, holy, intelligent, just, benevolent Being, who rules it well, and who presides over all its affairs. If there is anything for which we should rejoice, it is that there is One Mind, everlasting and most glorious, who presides over the universe, and conducts all things according to his own wise and eternal plan. Let the earth rejoice…”

“Isles - The Gentile nations, as this word, used Isa 42:4, is expounded, Mat 12:21. Psalms 97:2”

“Ps 97 God is greatly exalted over the gods and over all the earth. Awe-inspiring phenomena accompany his coming. Even the created order is visibly affected and the wicked perish, but the people of Zion love his coming and rejoice. 97:1 The farthest coastlands represent the most remote parts of the world.”

“am 3000, bc 1004 Lord: Psa 93:1, Psa 96:10, Psa 96:11, Psa 99:1; Oba 1:21; Mat 3:3, Mat 6:10, Mat 6:13; Mar 11:10; Col 1:13; Rev 11:17 the earth: Psa 2:11, Psa 98:4-6; Isa 49:13; Luk 2:10, Luk 2:11 let the multitude of isles: Heb. let the many, or great isles, Gen 10:5; Isa 11:11, Isa 24:14-16, Isa 41:5, Isa 42:4, Isa 42:10-12, Isa 49:1, Isa 51:5, Isa 60:9; Isa 66:19; Zep 2:11 Psalms 97:2”

“We have here nothing but echoes of the older literature: Psa 97:1, cf. Isa 42:10-12; Isa 51:5; Psa 97:2, cf. Psa 18:10, Psa 18:12; Psa 97:2 = Psa 89:15; Psa 97:3, cf. Psa 50:3; Psa 18:9; Psa 97:3, cf. Isa 42:25. Beginning with the visible coming of the kingdom of God in the present, with מלך ה the poet takes his stand upon the standpoint of the kingdom which is come. With it also comes rich material for universal joy. תּגל is indicative, as in Psa 96:11 and frequently. רבּים are all, for all of them are in fact many (cf. Isa 52:15). The description of the theophany, for which the way is preparing in Psa 97:2, also reminds one of Hab. 3. God's enshrouding Himself in darkness bears witness to…”