97 The Lord rules as king!
    Everyone on earth should be happy!
The people who live on the shore of the seas
    should sing with joy!
² Dark clouds are all round the Lord.
He rules with justice,
    and he is fair to everyone.
³ Fire goes in front of him.
    It burns up his enemies on every side.
⁴ His lightning lights up the whole world.
    The earth sees it and it shakes with fear.
⁵ The mountains melt like butter
    in front of the Lord,
    when they see the Lord of the whole earth.
⁶ The sky itself tells us that he is righteous
People from every nation see his glory.
⁷ Everyone who worships idols should be ashamed.
    They should not boast about useless idols!
All gods like that will fall down in front of the Lord.
⁸ When Zion's people hear about it,
    they will be happy.
Yes, the people of Judah will be very happy!
They will be happy, Lord,
    because you bring justice.
⁹ You, Lord, are the Most High God
    who rules over all the earth.
You are much greater than any other god!^[b]
10 If you love the Lord,
    then hate anything that is evil.
The Lord protects the lives of those who serve him.
He keeps them safe from the power of wicked people.
¹¹ God's light shines on righteous people.
    Good, honest people will be very happy.
¹² All you righteous people,
    be happy because of what the Lord has done.
Thank him because he is holy.