YEAR 2, WEEK 45, Day 7, Sunday, 9 November 2025

https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Psalm+97%3B+1+Chronicles+16

Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 9 November 2025:

Psalm 97:1 — The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

This psalm opens with a royal declaration: The LORD reigns. His kingship is not contingent upon human recognition; it is an unchanging reality. All creation is summoned to rejoice because His authority extends to every nation — even the distant coastlands. The psalmist’s language echoes Psalm 96:10 and anticipates Revelation 11:15: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.” Joy is the only fitting response to the eternal rule of a righteous King. As the psalmist begins this psalm, we should begin our every thought and prayer — “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matthew 6:9) The secret to love, joy, peace, contentment, and gratitude is never forgetting the fact that God is great, He rules, and He loves us to the Cross. Before you let emotions take over and lead you to doubt, despair, and sin, get your facts straight so you can understand your situation rightly, then act of faith, which is the practice of reality.

Psalm 97:2 – Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

The imagery recalls the theophany at Sinai (Exodus 19:16–18), portraying both majesty and mystery. God’s presence is veiled, reminding us that He is infinitely beyond human comprehension. Yet what defines His reign is not secrecy but holiness — “righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” God’s obscurity is an act of mercy and grace for our benefit – we would be overwhelmed to observe more of Him and couldn’t grow in relationship and character as He desires us too if continually undone by His unveiled presence — “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5) Earthly rulers often wield power without integrity; Yahweh rules in perfect balance of truth and mercy (Psalm 89:14).

“The Lord reigns…. righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.” Relate these verses with Job 40:2, 8 — “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him…? Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?” Our Lord, the Almighty, the Creator, is Sovereign. Is it possible for the created entity to fully understand its Creator? Again, how foolish is it for mere people to define God from their perspective. I am always amazed when “teachers” from their vast wisdom obtained from less than 80 years of life on this planet attempt to challenge the truth of God and his Word. Man’s wisdom is foolishness in God’s sight (1 Cor 3:19), and there is no possible way to measure how distant our thoughts are from God’s thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). We cannot possibly understand why God does what he does, or where He is taking us in life since our steps are directed by Him. (Proverbs 20:24) Wisdom comes only through revelation. We must walk in faith, hope, and love trusting that Our “Daddy” IS love; that NOTHING can “separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38, 39); and that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) So, “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5,6)

Psalm 97:3-5 — Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

The psalmist pictures God’s presence as consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24). His holiness is not passive; it actively purges evil. The imagery of mountains melting signifies that no power structure, nation, or ideology can stand against His appearing (2 Peter 3:10-12). The world trembles because holiness exposes everything false. Again, we must not lose “sight” of sovereign presence of the Lord, and Spirit and Truth, which determines everything, is not seen with our eyes but with your minds, understanding and appreciating invisible reality from which everything visible manifests. As stated above, faith is the practice of reality, invisible reality which is more real than what we perceive with our eyes. For example, though a wild berry might look appetizing, an understanding of what you can’t see, the fact that that bright, pretty wild berry is poisonous, might save your life by keeping you from eating it. Here the psalmist is using imagery – fire, lightning, melting wax – to help us picture what God’s invisible attributes are like. Why? Because we must not lose “sight” of what we can’t physically see.

• Hebrews 11:1-3 — Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Psalm 97:6 – The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.

Creation itself becomes a witness to God’s moral perfection. Paul alludes to this universal testimony in Romans 1:20 — the visible world declares invisible truths about the Creator. Yet now, through Christ, His glory is fully revealed (John 1:14). What creation hints at, the Incarnation fulfills. Again, God has provided ample evidence (things which are evident, obvious, or clear) of the validity of God and Truth which is unseen, a Truth which the American Founding Fathers described as “self-evident.” In His word and the power of the Holy Spirit, God has revealed His invisible truth to us, which when obeyed, manifests (becomes apparent) as the natural “fruit,” or product of that truth – “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21) As Christ becomes increasingly ‘real’ in our lives as we walk with Him in His word through obedience, the invisible attributes of Christ become increasingly visible or ‘real’ to others around us – God is glorified. To turn my lights on this morning in my room, I had to walk over to the light switch and flip it on. Since I was confident the lights would work, I didn’t hesitate to put forth the effort, nor did I really think much about it. My act of faith didn’t create the light, flipping the switch merely activated it. Faith produces the results from what is already real.

• 2 Corinthians 4:11 — For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Psalm 97:7 – All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!

False worship ends in humiliation. Every rival claim to glory collapses before the true God. Paul echoes this in Philippians 2:10–11 — “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” The command “worship him, all you gods” is a direct rebuke to spiritual powers and world leaders influenced by evil powers (Deuteronomy 32:17). Even demonic forces must bow to the Son of God.

Psalm 97:8-9 — Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O LORD. For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

The joy of God’s people arises not from comfort but from His just and perfect rule. Zion rejoices because God’s judgments vindicate truth. His exaltation above all gods is a declaration of supremacy — the covenant Lord stands alone. Colossians 1:16-17 confirms this in Christ, “by whom all things were created… and in him all things hold together.” Even if nothing “works” for us in this life, we can be “glad” and “rejoice” with Romans 8 in mind (see Romans 8).

Psalm 97:10 — O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Love for God and hatred for evil are inseparable. To tolerate sin is to betray affection for the Holy One. Romans 12:9 echoes the same call: “Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” The promise of preservation does not mean exemption from suffering but ultimate deliverance from the dominion of evil.

Hate has motivated many people to kill. Love should motivate Christians to kill too, but not people (who we are called to love) – “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5) To love God and others, we must hate and “put to death” the sin that is abhorrent to God; that separates people eternally from God; that drove Jesus, our Lord and Savior, to the cross; that kills and destroys; and that wars against love in this broken world. To take sin lightly is to love little, minimalizing the Passion of Christ and disregarding the plight of those trapped in sin.

To love our enemies as Jesus commanded, we must go to battle, not against them but against the sin that is enslaving and killing them, being very careful not to get wounded by sin ourselves — “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” (Job 1:22-23) “Be angry and do not sin.” (Ephesians 4:26)

How you feel about sin is based on how much you really love God and others. Do you really hate sin?

• Proverbs 8:13 — The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
• Amos 5:15 — Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
• Proverbs 6:16-19 — There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
• Romans 12:9 — Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
• Psalm 45:7 — You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
• Revelation 2:6 — Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
• 1 John 3:8 — Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
• Psalm 26:5 — I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.
• Ephesians 5:3-21 — But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Hate evil, not those who are in bondage to evil – free them.

Dig deeper on hating sin and loving the sinner by reading this sermon delivered on Sabbath morning, August 8, 1858, by the Reverend Charles H. Spurgeon at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens: “Ye that love the Lord, hate evil.” (Psalm 97:10) — https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0208.cfm

Psalm 97:11-12 — Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

“Light is sown” evokes the image of a harvest yet to come, present obedience will yield future joy. This verse anticipates Revelation 21:23, where the glory of God gives eternal light. Gratitude is the language of those who have seen His holiness and found mercy.

1 Chronicles 16:1-3 — And they brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD and distributed to all Israel… a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.

The ark’s arrival represents the tangible presence of God among His people, the restoration of worship at the heart of national life. Burnt offerings signified atonement; peace offerings expressed fellowship. David’s act of blessing the people prefigures the priestly role of Christ, our eternal King and Mediator (Hebrews 7:25-27). Is part of your worship to the Lord blessing others in His Name?

1 Chronicles 16:4-6 — Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD…. Asaph was the chief….

David institutionalized worship to ensure continuity of praise. This was not mere ceremony; it was the cultivation of spiritual memory. The ministry of Asaph would later produce psalms of deep lament and prophetic hope (e.g., Psalm 73-83). The pattern points toward the New Testament church, called to “speak to one another in psalms and hymns” (Ephesians 5:19). How are you institutionalizing worship in your life? How are you supporting your church’s effort to provide a meaningful venue for worship and discipleship in order to “equip the saints”?

1 Chronicles 16:7-9 — Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers. Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

Public gratitude became missional testimony. Worship is not complete until it is witnessed. The church’s proclamation of the gospel fulfills this ancient call — “make known his deeds among the peoples.”

“…tell of all his wondrous works!” God wants His works in your life to be the primary topic of your conversation with others.

1 Chronicles 16:10-12 — Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done….

The command to seek continually reveals that worship is not a moment but a movement of life. Those who remember God’s works cultivate faith for what is yet unseen. Hebrews 13:15 teaches us to “continually offer up a sacrifice of praise.”

• Joshua 1:8 — This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
• Romans 1:9 — For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 — pray without ceasing….
• Colossians 4:2 — Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
• Acts 10:2 — …a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.
• Hebrews 13:15 — Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
• Hebrews 13:1 — Let brotherly love continue.

“Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered….” Worship should include recounting all the things God has done in your life. Create opportunities in your life to intentionally share with friends and family all He as done in your life.

1 Chronicles 16:19-22 — When you were few in number, of little account… he rebuked kings on their account… ‘Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!’”

God’s protection of His covenant people despite their smallness demonstrates His faithfulness. The same God who guarded Abraham and Jacob guards His church today. Christ assured, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) If you are abiding in Christ, there is nothing which will happen to you God has not allowed for good. God protects you when you have no strength, power or status. Have comfort in knowing the no one can take you outside of God’s will or protection. Whatever happens to you is intended by God for a greater good you cannot imagine. Trust Him!

“When you were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it….” God begins mighty works with the few faithful among the masses.

1 Chronicles 16:23-27 — Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations…. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and he is to be feared above all gods.

Evangelistic worship — a day-to-day declaration of salvation. This verse anticipates the Great Commission. God’s greatness demands global proclamation. Acts 13:47 confirms this divine design: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles.”

“Sing…. Tell…. Declare…. among all the peoples!” God expects you to tell everyone about your salvation through Jesus. God wants you involved in His mission to redeem the lost world.

1 Chronicles 16:25-26, 31 – For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens…. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

God alone has true power. God loves you unconditionally and with all power – rejoice in that! The world does not know or accept that “The LORD reigns.” This is even more reason to proclaim the truth of the Gospel today.

1 Chronicles 16:28-30 — Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength… worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.

True worship combines beauty and reverence. The splendor of holiness is not aesthetic but moral — the inward adornment of purity (1 Peter 3:4). To tremble is to recognize majesty without losing intimacy.

1 Chronicles 16:31-33 — Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” … for he comes to judge the earth.

This refrain links directly to Psalm 97: the Lord reigns. Joy and judgment coexist in His coming — believers rejoice not because they are perfect, but because the Righteous Judge is also Redeemer. Revelation 19:6-7 echoes this cosmic praise.

1 Chronicles 16:34-36 — Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! … Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!

The covenant refrain of hesed — steadfast love — defines Israel’s theology and frames the gospel. The eternal God who showed mercy to Israel has shown it fully in Christ (Luke 1:72-75). Thanksgiving is the heartbeat of redemption.

“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 9 November 2025: Worship the Lord today with the joy of Psalm 97 and the devotion of 1 Chronicles 16. Recognize His reign as supreme, His holiness as unapproachable yet inviting through Christ. Reject pride and complacency. Make His deeds known. Seek His presence continually, hate evil, and proclaim His salvation daily. Let your worship become your witness and your reverence your rejoicing.

Pray: Lord, You reign in righteousness and justice. Let my heart rejoice in Your holiness and tremble at Your majesty. Teach me to worship not as routine but as mission — to declare Your salvation and glory among all people. Purify my motives, anchor me in Your steadfast love, and fill me with enduring gratitude. May my life proclaim, “The LORD reigns!” In Jesus’ name, Amen.