Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 97:8

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 97:8

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 97:8

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"Zion heard and was glad, And the daughters of Judah rejoiced, Because of thy judgments, O Jehovah." — Psalms 97:8 (ASV)

Zion heard, and was glad - The good news came to Zion that all the idols of the pagans were confounded or overcome: that is, that the Lord reigned. There was joy in Zion that the evils and abominations of idolatry were at an end, and that the worship of Yahweh had taken the place of idol-worship. The idea is that the displacement of idols, or the fact that they had ceased to be worshipped, was a cause of joy to the worshippers of the true God. Whatever tends to remove the worship of idols from the world, and to extend and establish the worship of the living God, is an occasion of gladness.

And the daughters of Judah rejoiced ... - See the notes at Psalms 48:11. Woman has special occasion to rejoice in the spread of the true religion. It is that alone which has lifted her from a state of deep degradation; which has elevated her to be a companion instead of a slave; which has made her the intelligent wife and mother, rather than the mere inmate of a harem.