Today, we’re in Psalm 97, twelve verses that boldly, clearly, and unashamedly exclaim, “The Lord reigns!”

Please join me in a narrated version of Psalm 97... 

Verse 1 tells us: The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice, let the many coastlands be glad!  

Verse 2 says: Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; 

righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.   

Verse 3 goes on to say Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around.   

Verse 4: His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.  

Verse 5 says: The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.   

Verse 6 tells us: The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.   

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

Verse 8: Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O Lord   

In verse 9, the psalmist says: For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.   

Verse 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.  

Verse 11 tells us that: Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.  

The psalmist ends this psalm that speaks of how our God reigns, reminding us in verse 12: Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! 

Thank you for joining me for this Psalms for Shepherds podcast! May you live deeply into your calling this week.