Rejoice in the Lord Our King (Psalm 97, Part 3)

The Righteous Rejoice (verses 10-12)

¹⁰Let those who love the Lord hate evil,

         for he guards the lives of his faithful ones

        and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
¹¹Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.
¹²Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, 

       and praise his holy name.

May we, God’s worshiping community, rejoice. With His power and majesty God delivers us from our enemies. With His wisdom and holiness He refreshes us. We praise God for His protection and guidance; and for the hope He has given us. We praise God for His forbearance, His salvation, His approachableness through Christ, and His ultimate triumph. May we be His light to the nations.

In the righteousness You have given us, Lord our God, we rejoice! Thank You that You preserve our lives. Thank You that light is sown for the righteous. Make us righteous. Make us Your light to the nations. Thank You that You will ultimately deliver the world from its vile sensualities.

We see God’s holiness perverted by the terrible things done in His name. One day Jesus will reign in visible glory over all the earth. All peoples will behold God’s glory and give thanks for His splendor.

Rock of ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure:

Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

Augustus Toplady (1740-1778)