"Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: He perserveth the souls of His saints; He delivereth them out fo the hand to 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 97:10-12
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
“Ye that love the LORD hate evil.”
How can the believer prove that he/she loves God? One way is by loving what God loves, His Word and His people. And by hating what God hates, evil, and sin.
“Show your love for the Lord ‘by’ hating all that is evil; that is, all that he hates, or that is evil in his sight. There can be no true love for God where evil is not hated in all its forms…”[1] (Barnes).
“He preserveth the souls of his saints.”
By His grace, mercy, and love for His child, He sent His Son to the cross to die for us and redeem us from sin.
He preserves us from all evil.
“The saints…his merciful people: their souls – lives, are precious in his sight. He preserves them; keeps them from every evil, and every enemy”[2] (Clarke).
“The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy” (Psalm 145:20).
“He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.”
When He delivers His child from the hand of the wicked, it is from his/her evil influence and power. There is coming a day when all the wicked will be cast into hell, and believers will live forever with their Lord.
“But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile” (Romans 2:8-9).
“Light is sown for the righteous.”
All the righteous ones are blessed and led by God’s light.
“All along their pathway, it is strewn. Their night is almost over, their day is coming, the morning already advancing with rosy steps is sowing the earth with orient pearls. The full harvest of delight is not yet ours, but it is sown for us; it is springing, it will yet appear in fulness. This is only for those who are right before the Lord in his own righteousness, for all others, the blackness of darkness is reserved”[3] (Spurgeon).
“God has lightning for sinners and light for saints”[4] (Spurgeon).
“Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous” (Psalm 112:4).
“And gladness for the upright in heart.”
As God’s light is for all the righteous, so His gladness is for them as well. Our hearts rejoice and are glad for God’s gracious provision for us. He provides here on earth for our needs, and He has prepared eternity for His children.
“Those who are right-hearted shall also be glad-hearted”[5] (Spurgeon).
“Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous.”
The Lord is “the joy and rejoicing of our hearts!” He has redeemed us; how can we not be joyful in His goodness? We rejoice in Him. If no one else on the earth praises Him, we will!
“Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright” (Psalm 33:1).
“And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”
Every time we think of God’s holiness, whenever this truth comes to mind, it is time to pause and give thanks to His holy name and to rejoice in our God and His righteousness!
“Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name” (Psalm 30:4).
Quote: “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:18). Thank you, Lord!
[1] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Psalm 97:10.
[2] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Psalm 97:10.
[3] C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, the electronic version in eSword. Psalm 97:11.
[4] Spurgeon, ibid.
[5] Ibid.