Psalm 97 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Psalm 97 Short Summary:

The Lord reigns as God of gods on a throne of righteousness. He is to be praised by all created things. The earth trembles before Him, the mountains melt, and the angels of Heaven owe Him their worship. He gives light and joy to those who love Him.

Psalm 97 Summary

AUTHOR:

• The author of Psalm 97 is unknown.

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

• Hebrews 1:6

THEMES:

• All powers of earth and heaven are subject to God the great king.

• Joy and light are gifts of God to those that love Him.

DEFINITIONS:

• Zion (97:8) - Zion refers to the hill/mountain where David’s palace was built in Jerusalem. This area was on the southeast side of the city. Zion is sometimes used to refer to the city of Jerusalem as a whole.

OUTLINE:

• ALL CREATED THINGS, BOTH IN HEAVEN AND EARTH, BOW TO THE LORD (97:1-12):

  • The psalm begins describing God on His throne with all the elements of the physical world being subject to His power and authority.

  • The earth, its coastlands, clouds, darkness, fire, lightning, mountains, and the heavens all recognize God as their sovereign king and are at His disposal.

  • He sits on a throne with a foundation made from righteousness and justice.

  • The knowledge of this great God puts idol worshippers to shame.

  • The psalmist instructs all the “gods” to worship the Lord (97:7). In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) the word “gods” is translated “angels.” This seems to be referring to heavenly beings, not “gods” in a divine sense as if these were God’s equals. The author of Hebrews appears to have understood the text this way because it appears he quoted from it in Hebrews 1:6.

  • Unlike the foreign idol worshipers, the people of Zion and the people of Judah would rejoice in the exultation of their God.

  • Towards the end of the psalm, the author encouraged people to love the Lord and hate evil.

  • The Lord will be a source of joy and light to all those who love Him.

APPLICATION:

• Hebrews 1:6 - And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God's angels worship him.” 

• Hebrews 1:6 is about Jesus. The angels of God are commanded to worship Jesus.

• If Hebrews 1:6 is indeed a quotation of Psalm 97:7, it is a strong case for the deity of Jesus. Jesus is God!

• If God’s people are to worship Him and Him alone (Mat 4:10), no created being can accept worship, only one who shares God’s nature can accept worship.

• Jesus is one with God in nature and is part of the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, Mat 28:19, 1 Pet 1:2).

• Some suggest the deity of Jesus was a later invention of the Church, but texts like Hebrews 1:6 and Psalm 97:7, and many other passages, make it clear that this suggestion is erroneous. 

• The fact that Jesus shared the nature of God was known to Jesus’ Apostles, which is why Thomas addressed Jesus with the words, “My Lord and my God” in John 20:28.