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Psalms 97
1The LORD reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!
2Clouds and darkness are around him. and justice are the foundation of his .
3A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.
4His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.
5The melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6The heavens declare his . All the peoples have seen his glory.
7Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images, who boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods!
8Zion heard and was glad. The daughters of Judah rejoiced because of your judgments, LORD.
9For you, LORD, are most high above all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods.
10You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of his saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
11Light is sown for the , and gladness for the upright in heart.
12Be glad in the LORD, you people! Give thanks to his holy Name.
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Questions this passage answers
Who is God?
God is the one living Creator who made everything and depends on nothing, and Scripture answers this question mainly by telling us his character rather than by defining his substance. When God described himself to Moses he said he is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in loving kindness and truth, and yet will by no means clear the guilty. The New Testament adds that this God is finally known in Jesus Christ, who has made him known.
Who wrote the Bible?
The Bible was written by many human authors over a long period, and Scripture presents itself as God-breathed rather than as human opinion. Some books name their writer, some do not, and honest study says which is which. Paul calls every Scripture God-breathed, and Peter says no prophecy came by the will of man but that people spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, which is the Bible's own account of how both authors are involved at once.
Can the Bible be trusted?
Scripture claims to be true and invites examination rather than avoiding it. It says God's word is truth and that it stands when everything else fades, and the New Testament writers appeal to eyewitnesses, named places and public events rather than to private experience. Trust in Scripture is finally trust in the God who speaks in it, and the clearest reason a Christian gives for that trust is that Jesus treated these writings as God's own word.
How should I pray?
When the disciples asked this, Jesus answered with a pattern rather than a technique. Pray to your Father, in private, without performance and without needing many words, because he already knows what you need. The prayer he gave begins with God's name, kingdom and will, then asks for bread, forgiveness and protection. Scripture adds that we may bring everything, that the Spirit helps our weakness, and that we can ask with confidence when we ask according to God's will.