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The Lord Is Exalted on His Throne (vv. 1-2). No matter what the circumstances around us or the feelings within us, “the Lord reigns” (93:1; 96:10; 99:1; 117:1), and He reigns over all the earth (vv. 1, 4, 5, 9; 96:1, 9, 11, 13; 98:3, 4, 9). His sovereign authority reaches beyond the land of Israel to the farthest islands and coastlands, places that the Jews had never visited. God’s desire was that Israel be a light to the Gentiles (Gen. 12:1-3; Isa. 42:6; 49:6) to show them the truth of the one true and living God, just as the church today is to be a light to the world by sharing the gospel message (Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47). Knowing that “the Lord God omnipotent reigns” (Rev. 19:6 nkjv) ought to bring joy to our hearts and our worship (vv. 1, 8, 11, 12; see 96:11). Though His throne is surrounded by clouds and darkness, and we do not fully understand the mysteries of His providence, we know that His throne rests on righteousness and justice and that “the Judge of all the earth [will] do right” (Gen. 18:25). The psalm begins with darkness (v. 2) but ends with light for the righteous (v. 11).