Psalm 97

Psalm 97 confuses me. First it says that a cloud and a thick darkness surrounds God, but then fire and lightening go before him. What's up with that. And then the mountains melt, he must be hot too. And the first verse about how God's in control so the earth should be glad and distant shores rejoice. All I can think of is the family who got shot on a beach in Palestine. And the south central farmers who were evicted yesterday. Distant shores rejoice. What's up with that.

Maybe the dark/light thing shows that God is everything. A mystery. Since his foundation is righteousness and justice, maybe with the light comes that justice as foes are consumed and the earth trembles. Wait. The earth should be glad, yet it trembles. What's up with that.

And again, perhaps the justice and gladness come as the "light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart." But what is "light" and "joy." Probably not a traditionally happy and blessed life. Probably it means pain and heartache that has a constant thread and theme of hope and strength. Maybe that's where the cloud and thick darkness comes back into play.

Seriously. What. Is. Up.