In the Book of Psalms, we read: 
“The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.” (Psalm 97:1, KJV)

At first glance, this verse may seem short, yet it contains a profound message—especially for us who live in the time of the New Testament, after the redemption brought by Jesus Christ, and who were not born among the people of Israel but among the Gentiles. What does it mean for “the multitude of isles” to be glad? Is this merely about geographical islands? Or is it something much deeper?

In the original Hebrew, the word “isles” — ’iyyim — does not only refer to geographical locations. It can also mean distant nations, peoples living far away, those not close to Jerusalem—neither physically nor spiritually. In other words, the “isles” represent those who were far from God.

And this is where the verse truly comes alive in the light of the New Testament: we were the isles. We were those far-off nations, having neither the law nor the covenant of the living God. Yet the Father did not forget about us.

God’s reign is universal

This verse from the Psalms is a prophetic declaration: the LORD’s reign is not confined to the land of Israel. His kingdom affects everyone—even those whom men once thought unreachable—the multitude of isles.

Before the coming of Jesus Christ, salvation “belonged to Israel.” But the heart of the Father was never limited to one people. The prophets foresaw that God’s salvation would one day reach every nation. As Isaiah says:

“I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6b, KJV)

This light is none other than Jesus Christ. The Father found the way to reach us—the distant nations—through His Son. In Jesus, the Father revealed Himself, as stated in the Gospel of John:

“…he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…” (John 14:9, KJV)

We were the isles

The apostle Paul describes it this way:

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh… That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:11–12, KJV)

That was us—or rather, that used to be us. The Gentiles, the outsiders, the lost. Those who did not know the Father. But the next verse brings a glorious turn:

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13, KJV)

This is the Good News of the gospel. The Father found the way to reach us. We were the distant isles, whose joy could now become reality because the reign of the LORD has reached us.

Jesus: the way by which the Father came

Jesus is not only the Son of God—He is also the way: 
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6, KJV)

But the reverse is also true: no one can know the Father except through Jesus. God did not leave us to remain isolated. Jesus bridged the distance. We did not need to build ships to reach God—He came to us because we were incapable of reaching Him.

The mission command: the isles must also hear

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He said to His disciples:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” (Matthew 28:19a, KJV)

This “all nations” — that includes us. Those of us who are not physical descendants of Abraham but who have become his children through faith. Because Jesus is not only Lord of nearby cities, but also of the distant isles.

We can rejoice today

When Psalm 97:1 says, “let the multitude of isles be glad,” it is no longer just prophecy—it is now a reality. We are among those who have reason to rejoice because the LORD’s reign has reached us too. We are no longer forsaken or outsiders. We have become citizens of God’s kingdom:

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…” (1 Peter 2:9a, KJV)

Remember: there was a time when you were far away

The greatest joy may come when we realize just how far the Father has brought us close. For we were the isles. We were those who had no light. But now:

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8, KJV)

Never forget where the Father brought you from—and rejoice. Because Psalm 97:1 is about you. You are the people of the earth, the isle who can rejoice because the LORD reigns.

Closing thought:

If you’ve ever felt that God is too far from you, or that you’re unworthy of His presence—remember that He came to you first. He did not wait for you to become “good enough” or to sail from your isle to His kingdom. He sent His Son, Jesus, to build the bridge between you and Himself.

Now you can rejoice, because the Father reigns—and His reign has reached your heart.

Closing Scriptures:

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10, KJV)

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;” (Ephesians 2:19, KJV)