Description
This is a prophetic proclamation of Jesus as king at the second coming. Jesus is portrayed fighting his enemies, his lightning lights up the world, and all peoples see his glory.
Commentary
This psalm starts with the proclamation that the Lord reigns. This will be fulfilled at Jesus' second coming, as in Revelation 11:15 "The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever”" (NET).
Verses 2 to 5 describe the scene as Jesus fights his enemies in the Armageddon war. Dark clouds and fire were markers of God's presence at Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 4:11), but are also end-time signs (e.g. Isaiah 30:27 and Joel 2:30). Verse 3 tells us he uses fire to burn up his enemies on every side. Verse 4 tells us "His lightning bolts light up the world" and verse 6 says "all the nations see his splendour". Jesus spoke of lightning in Matthew 24:27, and Revelation 1:7 confirms that every eye will see him. In verse 5, mountains may be literal, or may refer metaphorically to kingdoms. Verses 7 and 8 speak of rulers that people look up to as 'gods'. These do not imply polytheism, but that God will be exalted over all rulers and over every false god.
Verses 2 to 5 describe the scene as Jesus fights his enemies in the Armageddon war. Dark clouds and fire were markers of God's presence at Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 4:11), but are also end-time signs (e.g. Isaiah 30:27 and Joel 2:30). Verse 3 tells us he uses fire to burn up his enemies on every side. Verse 4 tells us "His lightning bolts light up the world" and verse 6 says "all the nations see his splendour". Jesus spoke of lightning in Matthew 24:27, and Revelation 1:7 confirms that every eye will see him. In verse 5, mountains may be literal, or may refer metaphorically to kingdoms. Verses 7 and 8 speak of rulers that people look up to as 'gods'. These do not imply polytheism, but that God will be exalted over all rulers and over every false god.
Tags
Places:
Symbols: Mountains, gods
Tags: Jesus proclaimed as king, Jesus appears in glory, Every eye will see him, Jesus fights his enemies, Weapons of Jesus, Jesus uses fire
Symbols: Mountains, gods
Tags: Jesus proclaimed as king, Jesus appears in glory, Every eye will see him, Jesus fights his enemies, Weapons of Jesus, Jesus uses fire
1 The Lord reigns! Let the earth be happy! Let the many coastlands rejoice!
2 Dark clouds surround him; equity and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him; on every side it burns up his enemies.
4 His lightning bolts light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The sky declares his justice, and all the nations see his splendor.
7 All who worship idols are ashamed, those who boast about worthless idols. All the gods bow down before him.
8 Zion hears and rejoices, the towns of Judah are happy, because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you, O Lord, are the Most High over the whole earth; you are elevated high above all gods.
10 You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his faithful followers; he delivers them from the power of the wicked.
11 The godly bask in the light; the morally upright experience joy.
12 You godly ones, rejoice in the Lord! Give thanks to his holy name.
2 Dark clouds surround him; equity and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him; on every side it burns up his enemies.
4 His lightning bolts light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The sky declares his justice, and all the nations see his splendor.
7 All who worship idols are ashamed, those who boast about worthless idols. All the gods bow down before him.
8 Zion hears and rejoices, the towns of Judah are happy, because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you, O Lord, are the Most High over the whole earth; you are elevated high above all gods.
10 You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his faithful followers; he delivers them from the power of the wicked.
11 The godly bask in the light; the morally upright experience joy.
12 You godly ones, rejoice in the Lord! Give thanks to his holy name.
(NET)
