Psalm for Today = 97:5-7
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By Ivar Leidus - Own work,
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5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,before the Lord of all the earth.6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,and all the peoples see his glory.7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,who make their boast in worthless idols;worship him, all you gods!
Comments:
In this psalm, we
see Yahweh’s presence described in the language of theophany reminiscent of Mt.
Sinai, where he gave Israel the Law. Theophany is the theological term used for a physical
manifestation of the glorious presence of God. In Scripture, it is often seen as a powerful storm.
The “mountains
melt like wax” has always made me wonder whether it represents his power
that makes the rivers of lava flow down or a reference to his eternal nature
that stands unchanged as the mountains erode like so much candle wax. Both images work well.
“The heavens
proclaim” ... God’s creation reveals something about him…he is righteous and
glorious as well as creative! Can the idols made in the image of merely created
things stand in the presence of the Creator himself. No. So, this means I
need to be sure that I am trusting in the Lord
not boasting in worthless idols. Even the most permanent elements of creation are like running wax in his presence!
