In Psalm 96, the last verse was pointing to the coming of the Messiah (Psalm 96:13). In the Psalm we now have before us, the Messiah appears. The Psalmist exclaims that "The LORD reigneth" [literally, "YHVH is King"] (v. 1). He sits on the throne. The universe is not ruled by just natural laws or by the authority of an evil power. There is a Sovereign Ruler, Who is wise, holy, just and sensible. Therefore: "let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad". The many islands are mentioned separately because they are far away (Jeremiah 31:10). But they too may rejoice, for the blessing of the Messiah's reign comes to them as well. The LORD is not only King over Israel, He is the King of kings, He rules over the whole earth.
In the 17 Psalms. of Book 4 several smaller groups or collections are to be distinguished as 'theocratic' Psalms, (Psalms 93, 95-100), because they celebrate God as King. In Psalm 97, the first group of verses celebrates the royal state of the King (v. 1~3); the second describes His coming as a past fact (v. 4~6); the third portrays the twofold effects of the LORD's appearance on the heathen and on Zion (v. 7~9); and the last applies the lessons of the whole to the righteous, in exhortation and encouragement (v. 10~12).
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
Psalms 97:2
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
Psalms 97:3
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
Psalms 97:4
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
Psalms 97:5
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
Psalms 97:6
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
Psalms 97:7
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
Psalms 97:8
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
Psalms 97:9
For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
Psalms 97:10
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Psalms 97:11
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Psalms 97:12
Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
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The LORD, that is the Messiah, envelops Himself in "clouds and darkness" (v. 2). These features indicate that what He does cannot be followed by humans. How could mortal men understand Him in His inimitable judicial acts? They will acknowledge them, without realizing their depth. This does not mean that in Him there is darkness. God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all (1John 1:5; Psalm 104:2; 1Timothy 6:16). Creatures cannot fathom that light. To us humans, therefore, He is surrounded by dark clouds.
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