A Commentary on the Psalms - Father Jerome A. Kelly - Psalms 95 and 97

Sep 28, 2026

A Franciscan spiritual review article presents a close commentary on Psalms 95 and 97 used in the Office, focusing on their shared structure and recurring themes. The author explains how both psalms begin with an exhortation to sing to the Lord a new song, then move to a justification grounded in God’s worthiness, followed by an invitation for animate and inanimate creatures to praise Him. The discussion contrasts Psalm 95’s more expansive development with Psalm 97’s more immediate listing of reasons for praise, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and salvation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

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Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

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A Commentary on the Psalms

Psalms 95 and 97

1 uhe A FRANCISCAN SPIRITUAL REVIEW VOL.XI,NO.3,MARCH,1961 heCORD A monthly magazine specifically devoted to Franciscan spirituality and poblishedunder the sponsorahip of the Franciscan Educational Conference by the FranciscanInscitate,St.Bonaventure University.St.Bonaventure P.O.,New York.EditorEligius Buytaert,O.F.M.Assistant Editor:Sister Mary Frances,S.MI.C ManaginEditor:Sabbas J.Kilian,O.F.M.Editorial Board:Ignatius Brady.O.F.M..InnocentDaam.O.F.M..Columban Duffy,O.F.M.,Gaudens Mohan,O.F.M..Allan Wolter.O.F.M.Annual rubecription $2.00. Entered ae second class mater on November 25.1950.at St.Bonaventure P.O..New York,under the Act of March 3,1879.All communications,whether of a businesaor a literary nature,zhould be addressed to THE CORD,St.Bonaventare University,St.Bonaventure P.O.New York.Cum permissu superiorum. VOL.AI,AO.3.M4RCH.1961COATENT'S 1 COJEATARY(N THE PSALS:65FatherJerome 1.Kelly,(.F.M.MORE ABUT THEOPEN LET'TER’...73Father Marl:Hegencr,(.F.1. Thomns I.VcDonne1lYO 114VE IWOUNDED MY HEAR′T77Raphael Broucn.TertiaryTHHE IW11 T()BEATCO11U NISVI82Bruuce Ignutocslii.(.F.V.Cap...S.T.L.(.R(SSES(VER V4GASAI:XIl86Father(,erurd 1luber,O.F.M1.FR1CISCN BRIEFS1「Father Byron l itz n,O.F.M.POENS: 2 I II 15 T11LlE Sister Teresn Clure.(.S.F. IIC11ARIST81 Sister V.Josephine.F.S.S.S.H FTIEYD SF.FRANCIS9,3 F:lizabeth Metzger.TertiaryTHOLGHITO1A JUBILEE9Sistvr M.Mynette,F.S.P'.1. # A Commentary on the Psalms: Father Jerome A.Kelly,O.F.M. Psalms 95 and 97 Holy Scripture that when theycame to compose their own worksthey naturally echoed its thoughtsand expressions.And that is whywe find 8o many resemblances A comment quite validly maderegarding the Psalms and Cantielesused in the Office—one whichgrows to complaint if our know- ledge of these prayers remains among their works.euperficial or our use of themAs exemplifying such resem-perfunctory—is that they have ablances,I intend to consider to-certain sameness about them,agether Psalm 95 and Psalm 97,certainrepetitiousness.Similarwhich are remarkably alike inwords and identical phrases re-structure,imagery,and theme.appear with such frequency-80Both Psalms open with a world-do similar images,ideas,andwide exhortation to themes--that these inspired hynns Sing to the Lord a new song...appear forever to be echoing theBoth,in closing,bring all creaturessame thoughts and expressions.ToBefore the Lord,for he comes;illustrate what I mean,let mefor he comes to rule the earth.remind you how easy it is toHe shall rule the world withdetect reminiscences of the Psalmsjusticeand other writings of the Oldand the peoples with his con-Testament in the Magnificat,thatstancy,spontaneous fountain(of praisewhich welled from the depths ofMary's soul in reply to the salu-tation of Elizabeth. says Psalm 95,with equity,saysPsalm 97. Within this common frameworkeach Psalm develops the samepattern:the exhortation to praiseGod is first justified by a pro-clamation of his worthiness to bepraised,and then an invitation isgiven to animate and to inanimatecreatures to join in praising him.Of the two,however,Psalm 95expands more richly,generously,and suggestively.In the firststrophe,verses l to 3 of the Psalm,the exhortation is repeated and What is true of this familiarhymn applies equally to otherPsalms and Canticleswhoseauthors we can not,very frequent-ly,20 accurately identify:theyfaithfully repeat and reproduce thethoughts and sentiments whichpervade Holy Scripture.And thereason for this—apart from anyconsideration of their all havingbeen inepired by the same,one elarified by preeise direetions: Sing to the Lord,all you lands.Sing to the Lord;bless his name;announce lhis salvation,day afterday. Tell his glory among the nations;among all peoples,his wondrousdeeds. Thcn comes a whole newstrophe,verses 4 and 6,to justifypraising God: For great is the Lord and highlyto be praised; awesome is he,beyond all gods.For all the gods of the nations are things of

FAQs

Why does the author compare Psalm 95 and Psalm 97 together?

Both psalms share a common framework: an opening exhortation to praise God, a justification based on God’s worthiness, and an invitation for all creation to join in praising Him.

How is Psalm 95 described as different from Psalm 97?

Psalm 95 is presented as expanding more richly and generously, while Psalm 97 develops its themes more immediately through a first strophe that lists reasons for praising God.

What emphasis does the commentary make about God in these psalms?

The author highlights that the God of Israel is not a man-made idol, but the true Creator who rules the universe, and that the psalms point to concrete acts of God’s salvation and justice.

Sep 28, 2026

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