There are many reasons for praising the Lord and rejoicing in him. One reason that may not cross our minds often is the weather. But it looks as if the psalmist in this song is focussing on what happened on a stormy day when the upheaval of the elements indicated to him the fact that the Lord is reigning.
On this particular day, the Lord had used the elements to defeat his enemies. He had sent the storm as an expression of his judgement (vv. 2-3). Even the strong parts of the earth, which were usually unshakeable and firm, seemed unstable before this expression of divine power (vv. 4-5). The obvious conclusion to this display of power was that it had been produced by someone much more powerful than idols, and even their worshippers realised it (vv. 6-7).
The inhabitants of Zion, since they already knew who the true God is and were aware of what he could do, responded to this divine activity with joyfulness of heart (v. 8). It was good for their souls to observe divine acts of power and to have visible incentives to express God’s sovereign control of everything (v. 9).
What he had seen caused the author to exhort his fellow saints. They did not need to resort to questionable methods of defence. Instead they should recognise that their God had the power to keep them and rescue them, if necessary (v. 10). Because of his great power, great days of blessing were ahead of them (v. 11), and they need not fear the future. His power had made it possible for them, although sinners, to become righteous in his sight.
For them, a stormy day became a singing day as they considered the awesome power of God and praised him for his uniqueness.
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