Catholic Commentary on Psalm 97

"Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones." (Psalm 97:10)

The Reign of the Holy God

Psalm 97, another enthronement psalm, celebrates the reign of the LORD with imagery drawn from the great theophanies of the Old Testament: clouds and thick darkness surround him, fire goes before him, lightning illuminates the world, the mountains melt like wax, the heavens proclaim his righteousness. This is not a comfortable domestic deity. This is the holy God of Sinai, whose majesty cannot be approached without awe.

The psalm draws a sharp moral consequence from God's holiness: Let those who love the LORD hate evil. This connection between the love of God and the hatred of evil is essential and often overlooked. In an age that celebrates tolerance above all virtues, the psalm insists that authentic love for God produces a corresponding hatred for what destroys the good. The Catechism affirms that moral evil is not merely an inconvenience but a real disorder that the Christian is called to resist, not accommodate (CCC 1854). The God who guards the lives of his faithful ones also calls those faithful ones to stand against the evil that destroys life. The two sides of this verse belong together.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, the call to hate evil in Psalm 97 is not a call to hate persons. It is a call to the moral clarity that refuses to call evil good or good evil. In a culture that blurs every distinction, this clarity is a form of worship. The light dawns for the righteous, joy for the upright in heart. The moral life is not a burden. It is the path into the joy the psalm promises.

Prayer

Lord God, you reign in righteousness and your glory is above all the earth. Give us the love that hates evil and the joy that comes from upright hearts. Guard our lives as only you can guard them, and let the light of your presence dawn on us this day. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

97
Let the Earth Rejoice
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the distant shores be glad.
 
2 Clouds and darkness surround Him;
righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
3 Fire goes before Him
and consumes His foes on every side.
4 His lightning illuminates the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax
at the presence of the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim His righteousness;
all the peoples see His glory.
 
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame—
those who boast in idols.
Worship Him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices,
and the towns of Judah exult
because of Your judgments, O LORD.
9 For You, O LORD, are Most High over all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.
 
10 Hate evil, O you who love the LORD!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines * 97:11 One Hebrew manuscript, LXX, Syriac, and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts Light is sown on the righteous,
gladness on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones,
and praise His holy name.

*97:11 97:11 One Hebrew manuscript, LXX, Syriac, and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts Light is sown

Public Domain