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Psalm 97 | King James Audio Bible
YouTube: Psalm 97 | KJV | King James Version | Audio Bible | Word Aloud
Psalm 97 commences with a declarative burst: ‘The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.’ The proclamation sets the tone for universal celebration, urging the earth and its distant isles to exult in response to the Lord’s sovereign rule. The very essence of the psalm lies in the rejoicing prompted by recognition of the Lord’s reign—a theme that resonates through each verse.
Verse two introduces striking imagery of God’s presence: ‘Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.’ Here, the psalmist envisions God seated on a throne enveloped in clouds and darkness, emphasizing the mysterious and awe-inspiring nature of the divine presence. Within this celestial dwelling, righteousness and judgment reign supreme, forming the bedrock of God’s eternal authority.
The psalm takes a dramatic turn in verse three: ‘A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.’ Imagery of a consuming fire preceding God vividly portrays God’s formidable power and the swift destruction of adversaries. This portrayal of divine justice aligns with an overarching theme of righteousness and judgment as inherent attributes of God’s reign.
Verse four intensifies this cosmic drama: ‘His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.’ This manifestation of God’s power is likened to lightning illuminating the world, causing earth itself to quiver in awe. Such awe-inspiring display of God’s might is not only a source of illumination but a catalyst for reverential fear.
Such imagery unfolds in verse five: ‘The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.’ This portrayal of melting hills underscores profound impact of God’s presence, emphasizing God’s dominion over the entire earth. This visual metaphor captures the transformative power inherent in the divine encounter.
Celestial elements become witnesses to God’s righteousness in verse six: ‘The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.’ Here, the psalmist elevates the heavens as cosmic heralds, proclaiming righteousness of God. The visibility of God’s glory becomes a testament accessible to all people, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.
The psalm declares primacy of God: ‘Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods. Zion heard, and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord.’ In these verses, the psalmist condemns worship of idols and challenges the false gods. Zion, representing the chosen people, rejoices in the divine judgments, aligning allegiance with the righteous rule of God.
Verse nine reiterates supremacy of God: ‘For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.’ The psalmist emphasizes the exalted position of God, surpassing all earthly powers and false gods. This assertion serves as a theological anchor, reinforcing a central theme of divine majesty and sovereign authority.
The psalm is didactic in verse ten: ‘Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.’ The psalmist imparts wisdom, urging those who love God to abhor evil. Promise of divine preservation and deliverance from the hands of the wicked becomes a source of encouragement for the faithful.
Verse eleven expresses a profound metaphor: ‘Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.’ Imagery of light being sown for the righteous encapsulates a concept of divine illumination and joy bestowed upon those who possess upright hearts. This symbolizes inherent connection between righteousness and radiance of divine favour.
Psalm 97 concludes with an exhortation: ‘Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.’ This call to rejoice and give thanks is fitting response to remembrance of God’s holiness. This verse encapsulates the psalm’s overarching theme—a call to joyous celebration in acknowledgment of the God’s reign and holiness.
Psalm 97 | King James Audio Bible KJV | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
Zion heard, and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord.
For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Psalm 97 | King James Audio Bible KJV | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
- Divine Sovereignty: Psalm 97 exalts in the proclamation of the Lord’s reign, emphasizing His supreme authority over the earth and its inhabitants.
- Majestic Imagery: The psalm employs vivid imagery, including clouds, darkness, fire, lightning, and melting hills, to depict the awe-inspiring nature of the Lord’s presence and power.
- Righteousness And Judgment: Central to the psalm is the theme of righteousness and judgment as foundational aspects of the Lord’s character, shaping His eternal throne.
- Cosmic Witness: The heavens and celestial elements serve as witnesses, declaring the righteousness of the Lord to all people and transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.
- Condemnation Of Idolatry: The psalm condemns the worship of idols and challenges false gods, advocating worship exclusively for the Lord.
- Rejoicing In Divine Judgments: Zion and the daughters of Judah rejoice in the divine judgments, aligning themselves with the righteous rule of the Lord.
- Supremacy Of The Lord: The psalm emphasizes the Lord’s exalted position above all the earth and far beyond all gods, reinforcing His sovereign authority.
- Instruction For The Faithful: Wisdom is imparted to those who love the Lord, urging them to hate evil. The promise of divine preservation and deliverance is offered as encouragement.
- Metaphor Of Light: The metaphor of light sown for the righteous symbolizes divine illumination and joy, emphasizing the connection between righteousness and divine favour.
- Exhortation To Rejoice: The psalm concludes with an exhortation for the righteous to rejoice in the Lord and give thanks, emphasizing the celebration of His reign and holiness.
Christians blend into society—they marry, raise children, dress, eat, and work like others—but they live with a radical spiritual orientation. Their true ‘citizenship is in heaven’ (Philippians 3:20), and they view life on earth as a pilgrimage. This tension between presence and detachment highlights the paradoxical nature of Christian witness: they fully engage with their society while simultaneously transcending its values [ … ]
Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Capuchin friar who lived from 1887 to 1968. He is renowned for his piety, his stigmata, and his gift of healing, and has become a beloved figure in the Christian world. Born into a devout Catholic family in Pietrelcina, Italy, Padre Pio felt a calling to the priesthood from a young age. He entered the Capuchin order in 1903 and was ordained a priest in 1910. He spent much of his life as a humble friar, dedicated to prayer, the sacraments, and the service of others. Padre Pio’s most famous spiritual gift was the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ that he bore on his hands, feet, and side. He experienced this phenomenon for over 50 years, from 1918 until his death in 1968. While some were skeptical of his wounds, many believed them to be a sign of his profound union with Christ and his participation in the suffering of the crucified Christ. In addition to his stigmata, Padre Pio was also known for his gift of healing. Many people came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, and he prayed over them, sometimes prescribing special devotions or treatments. While some were healed miraculously, others did not experience a physical cure, but nonetheless found comfort and peace through his intercession. Padre Pio’s life was marked by his devotion to God and his love for others. He spent long hours in prayer, often in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and had a deep appreciation for the power of the Eucharist. He also had a special love for the Virgin Mary, whom he called his ‘Heavenly Mother’, and encouraged others to pray the Rosary. Today, Padre Pio is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his influence has spread far beyond Italy. He is remembered for his holiness, his humility, and his profound union with Christ, as well as for his compassion and concern for the sick and suffering. Christians of all denominations continue to look to him as a model of faith and devotion to God. Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Healing Saint Padre Pio is renowned for his gift of healing, which he used to help countless people throughout his life. He believed in the power of prayer and the importance of placing our trust in God, even in the face of illness and suffering. In James 5:16, we are reminded that ‘the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’. Padre Pio’s life was a testament to the truth of this verse, as he interceded for those who came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. One of the most striking examples of Padre Pio’s healing ministry was the case of Gemma Di Giorgi, a young girl who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Her parents brought her to Padre Pio, who prayed over her and blessed her with the sign of the cross. To the amazement of her doctors, Gemma’s condition began to improve, and she was eventually healed completely. In addition to physical healing, Padre Pio also believed in the importance of emotional and spiritual healing. He often spoke of the need for repentance and conversion, and encouraged his followers to turn to God with contrite hearts. In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus tells the Pharisees, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ Padre Pio understood that true healing involves not only the body, but also the soul. For those who are in need of healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, Saint Padre Pio can serve as a powerful intercessor. He believed in the importance of prayer and the power of God’s grace to heal even the most difficult of cases. Through his intercession, we can ask God for the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles, knowing that we are never alone and that God’s healing love is always with us. So let us pray: ‘Saint Padre Pio, you who had a deep faith in God and a profound love for your fellow human beings, we turn to you in our time of need. We ask for your intercession on behalf of all those who are sick and suffering, that they may be healed in body, mind, and spirit. We ask that you pray for us, that we may have the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles with faith and hope, knowing that God is with us always. We trust in God’s love and mercy, and in the power of prayer to bring healing and wholeness to all who seek it. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us, and lead us to the healing grace of God. Amen.’ Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Peace Saint Padre Pio was a man of peace, who lived his life in the service of God and his fellow human beings. He believed that peace was not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of inner harmony that could only be achieved through a deep and abiding relationship with God. In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ Padre Pio understood the importance of this peace, and dedicated his life to helping others find it. One of the ways that Padre Pio fostered peace was through his ministry of reconciliation. He encouraged those who came to him to confess their sins and seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that this was the first step towards inner peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Padre Pio believed that this was not just a call to be a mediator in conflicts between […]
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John tells Jesus that he and other disciples have forbidden a man from casting out devils in Jesus’ name, and Jesus tells him that he was wrong to do this. The man was doing good, irrespective of his not belonging to the community of disciples following Jesus. There is no call for exclusivity, so long as people are working faithfully for and toward the good. Jesus displays an ecumenical attitude here. Different faiths, different churches, can peacefully co-exist and work alongside each other for the greater good [ … ]
