Ps 97 for Easter 6B with Commentary by Dr Noel Donnelly
graphic (c) Netta Ewing
Psalm 97 Commentary Easier 6B.
The liturgy this weekend selects only 4 of the nine verses of Psalm 97. In the introductory superscript the psalmist honours not only the singers but also the accompanying orchestra of harp and trumpet and horn. Sometimes in our churches, these players are just taken for granted. Not so for our psalmist today. In fact s/he has these instruments actually singing too, calling them in the superscript “an orchestra of praise”!
In psalm 97, the whole of creation is invited to join in the praise, the seas are to roar and the torrents of rivers to clap their hands. Furthermore, the non-Jewish nations are called to share this praise together: the psalmist proclaims, : “Shout to the Lord ALL THE Earth!” Judaism was not a closed religion, unconcerned with outsiders. The psalmist makes no judgement about the validity of the religious perspective of these nations; s/he simply invites all to join in a new song of praise and thanksgiving.
And it is a new song. What is new here? Especially during the exile, the Hebrews discovered that there were good people around them. In recent years, through our Churches Together, we too are discovering inspiration in those who used to be “outsiders” to our denomination.
Moreover, the psalmist thanks God for the saving work of his right hand and his holy arm which keep on saving with love and faithfulness. That “holy arm” suggests that God has rolled up his sleeves and gets stuck in to the saving work!
The praise grows from the singing psalmist through the band of musicians and on to “all peoples” and then “all of creation” as the seas are invited to roar and the trees of the forest to “clap their hands” and even the mountains are all to sing together for joy (verses 8 and 9).
In summary, our psalm invites us to join in joy with all people to praise God for the wonderful things done for everyone.. Can we too joyfully roll up our sleeves like God in verse one, and get involved on making our world a happier place this week, in our churches and beyond?
Psalm 97 Easter 6B – Full Score
Setting of Ps 97 by Noel Donnelly.
Recorded by Grace Buckley
