HOLINESS AND HAPPINESS (Psalm 97)

One thing that has struck me during this journey through the Psalms is the fact that many of them have repeated themes. They sound alike; the emphasis is the same. On the other hand, each psalm is very unique.

Psalm 97 continues many of the previous themes. It opens with the words, “The Lord reigneth.” Aren’t you glad He is on the throne today? This is an idea we have seen recently in our study. Psalm 97 also commands the people and all of the idols and false gods to worship the Lord. We have seen an emphasis on worship in the past few psalms.

While this psalm continues some previous ideas, these 12 verses are unique. It hinges on one key idea that is not fully stated until the end of the psalm.

For years I have said that when you study a portion of scripture, there is typically a key that unlocks that passage — a central truth that leads to the understanding of everything else. That key is often found near the front door or the back door, so I often look first at how a passage opens and how it closes.

The last verse of Psalm 97 states, “Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”

There it is: “his holiness.” This psalm revolves around the holiness of our God. He is thrice holy: Father, Son, and Spirit. The Bible says in Rev. 4:8, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” He always has been holy; He is holy; and He always will be holy.

There is no holiness anywhere apart from God’s holiness.

You may know of a man or woman who you consider to be living a holy life, but that is only possible by being what Hebrews 12:10 calls “partakers of his holiness.” We are all sinners and are only holy when the Lord brings His holiness into our lives. I think a deepened understanding of the holiness of God would change the way we all live and give us a greater hunger for it.

Verse 12 begins with rejoicing in the Lord and ends with remembering His holiness. I believe the holy life is a happy life. Some people have the idea that holiness and happiness are mutually exclusive. Living right does not mean having a boring or miserable life. The exact opposite is true. When you come to understand and enter into His holiness, you have discovered the secret to true and lasting joy.

Now let’s consider two responses to holiness.

When God in His holiness shows up, we are to rejoice while His enemies are to fear.

Verses 1-3: “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.”

Your response to who God is a revelation of your relationship to Him. If I truly love someone and I know that person loves me, I have no problem running to meet him or her. But if I fear someone and am afraid to be in his or her presence, I turn and go in the other direction.

It is no wonder that sinners run from God and want nothing to do with the Bible or to hear the name of Jesus. They fear Him because they do not have the right relationship with Him. But when you know the Lord and are close to Him, you have no fear of being in His holy presence.

Verses 4-7: “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.”

Wicked people are afraid and troubled at the thought of the holiness of God. But a beautiful contrast is seen in verses 8-11.

“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.”

I think Psalm 97 is a psalm that will help you enjoy the journey. It shows you that the highway of holiness is the highway of happiness. When you know the holy God and are a partaker of His holiness, then you can know true joy in your own life.

There is nothing more wonderful and joyful than the thought that He preserves you and delivers you. When He is sowing light into your life, that is what you will reap. What a joy that is to know in dark days.

What is the application for us here?

First of all, if you do not have the right relationship with God, begin there. If you have never received the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, “now is the accepted time” according to II Corinthians 6:2. You do not have to live your life afraid of the judgment of God or eternity without Him. You can have His joy if you trust Him.

If you are a believer who is not right with God, perhaps you are trembling. But there is mercy for you, my friend. The same God who saves you will restore you. The Bible says in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

If you are right with the Lord and in fellowship with Him, my only counsel to you would be the words of verse 12. “Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”

Being right now by thanking Him for His holiness and the privilege you have to partake of it. Be thankful that, although you are a sinner, you are allowed to come into His holy presence.

Rejoice in the Lord today, because our God is the holy God and has made a way for you to be a partaker of His holiness.