"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 97:11-12
The title of Psalm 97 is “The LORD Reigneth.” Jehovah is ruling, and this is the reason that all men are beholden to Him.
“The Lord reigneth – Here is a simple proposition, which is a self-evident axiom, and requires no proof: Jehovah is infinite and eternal; is possessed of unlimited power and unerring wisdom; as he is the Maker, so he must be the Governor, of all things. His authority is absolute, and his government therefore universal. In all places, on all occasions, and in all times, Jehovah reigns.”1 (Clarke)
In all His governing, Jehovah gives particular thought and care to His children, He cares for them.
“Light is sown for the righteous,”
The “Father of Lights,” gives light. God’s children are known as the children of light.
“While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them,” (John 12:36).
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light,” (Ephesians 5:8).
“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness,” (1 Thessalonians 5:5).
God provides light for His child. We walk with Him in the light, and we need not fear the darkness any longer.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin,” (1 John 1:7).
“And gladness for the upright in heart.”
And for those who are the upright in heart, He provides gladness. The “upright” man is also the righteous man.
“Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart,” (Psalm 32:11).
“Let the light and gladness be faithfully cultivated, and they will multiply themselves till the whole body shall be full of light, and the whole soul full of happiness. But it is the righteous only for whom the light is sown; and the upright in heart alone for whom the gladness is sown.”2 (Clarke)
“Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous;”
The righteous man rejoices in the LORD. Those who are righteous belong to the LORD, a great reason to celebrate.
“But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him,” (Psalm 4:3).
“And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”
Why do we thank and praise God when we think of His holiness? Because He has called us to be holy as well.
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God,” (Leviticus 20:7).
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy,” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
God’s holy people are thankful and give they thanks to their holy God!
The LORD reigneth!
1. Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
2. Adam Clarke, ibid.