"The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice." (Psalm 97:1)
He reigns in righteousness, and that is why we are to rejoice. The fact that God's reign of righteousness is a cause of rejoicing, is in itself proof that it does not mean that He sits in stern righteousness to judge and condemn.
Righteousness means peace; for, being made righteous by faith "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) "The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace." (James 3:18)
We are to submit ourselves to the righteousness of God, that He may work it in us; and this is what His reign in righteousness means. He is able to produce perfect righteousness in every one that trusts in Him, "For as the earth brings forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth: so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations." (Isaiah 61:11)--Present Truth, January 16, 1902--Psalm 97:1.