Psalms 97:1-12
This psalm describes the establishment of God’s reign in power; it corresponds to Isaiah 11:4-5 and Revelation 19:6. Everything which is opposed to the Lord’s dominion will be consumed (vv. 3-5), whilst the hearts of all the faithful will be filled with gladness (vv. 8 . . .). Then the glory of the LORD will not only be spoken of as in Psalms 96:3; it will be seen (v. 6), and the inhabitants of the world will finally be able to see the difference between the government carried out by man and the righteousness established by God. The angels who are also called gods in v. 7, and who for so long have witnessed iniquity on the earth, will finally be present at the triumph of righteousness. They will see the Firstborn, Christ, introduced by God into the inhabited earth and will render their homage to Him in unison with the saints on the earth (Hebrews 1:6).
The last three verses are for all time, because God always has His eye on those who love Him, on those who are "upright in heart." His grace calls them saints and righteous. He expects them to hate evil and to rejoice in Him (vv. 10, 12: cf. Romans 12:9; Philippians 4:4 . . .). He Himself will not fail to preserve their souls and to light their paths (vv. 10, 11).