Font Size
Psalm 96-97
Easy-to-Read Version
Psalm 96-97
Easy-to-Read Version
96 Sing a new song[a] to the Lord!
Let the whole world sing to the Lord!
2 Sing to the Lord and praise his name!
Tell the good news every day about how he saves us!
3 Tell all the nations how wonderful he is!
Tell people everywhere about the amazing things he does.
4 The Lord is great and worthy of praise.
He is more awesome than any of the “gods.”
5 All the “gods” in other nations are nothing but statues,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 He lives in the presence of glory and honor.
His Temple is a place of power and beauty.
7 Praise the Lord, all people of every nation;
praise the Lord’s glory and power.
8 Give the Lord praise worthy of his glory!
Come, bring your offerings into his courtyard.
9 Worship the Lord in all his holy beauty.
Everyone on earth should tremble before him.
10 Tell the nations that the Lord is King!
The world stands firm and cannot be moved.
He will judge all people fairly.
11 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be happy!
Let the sea and everything in it shout for joy!
12 Let the fields and everything in them be happy!
Let the trees in the forest sing for joy
13 when they see the Lord coming!
He is coming to rule[b] the world.
He will rule all the nations of the world
with justice and fairness.
97 The Lord rules, and the earth is happy.
All the faraway lands are happy.
2 Thick, dark clouds surround him.
Goodness and justice make his kingdom strong.
3 Fire goes before him
and destroys his enemies.
4 His lightning flashes in the sky.
The earth sees it and trembles with fear.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The skies tell about his goodness,
and the nations see his glory.
7 People worship their idols.
They brag about their “gods.”
But they will be embarrassed.
And all their “gods” will bow down before the Lord.
8 Zion, listen and be happy!
Cities of Judah, be glad!
Rejoice because the Lord’s decisions are fair.
9 Lord Most High, you really are the ruler of the earth.
You are much better than the “gods.”
10 Hate evil, you who love the Lord.
He protects his followers and saves them from evil people.
11 Light and happiness shine on those
who want to do right.
12 Good people, be happy in the Lord!
Praise his holy name!
Footnotes
- Psalm 96:1 new song Whenever God did a new and wonderful thing for his people, they would write a new song about it.
- Psalm 96:13 rule Or “judge.” Also in 98:9.
Psalm 96-97
New International Version
Psalm 96-97
New International Version
Psalm 96(A)
1 Sing to the Lord(B) a new song;(C)
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;(D)
proclaim his salvation(E) day after day.
3 Declare his glory(F) among the nations,
his marvelous deeds(G) among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;(H)
he is to be feared(I) above all gods.(J)
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,(K)
but the Lord made the heavens.(L)
6 Splendor and majesty(M) are before him;
strength and glory(N) are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the Lord,(O) all you families of nations,(P)
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering(Q) and come into his courts.(R)
9 Worship the Lord(S) in the splendor of his[a] holiness;(T)
tremble(U) before him, all the earth.(V)
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.(W)”
The world is firmly established,(X) it cannot be moved;(Y)
he will judge(Z) the peoples with equity.(AA)
11 Let the heavens rejoice,(AB) let the earth be glad;(AC)
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest(AD) sing for joy.(AE)
13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge(AF) the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness(AG)
and the peoples in his faithfulness.(AH)
Psalm 97
1 The Lord reigns,(AI) let the earth be glad;(AJ)
let the distant shores(AK) rejoice.
2 Clouds(AL) and thick darkness(AM) surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.(AN)
3 Fire(AO) goes before(AP) him
and consumes(AQ) his foes on every side.
4 His lightning(AR) lights up the world;
the earth(AS) sees and trembles.(AT)
5 The mountains melt(AU) like wax(AV) before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.(AW)
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,(AX)
and all peoples see his glory.(AY)
7 All who worship images(AZ) are put to shame,(BA)
those who boast in idols(BB)—
worship him,(BC) all you gods!(BD)
8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad(BE)
because of your judgments,(BF) Lord.
9 For you, Lord, are the Most High(BG) over all the earth;(BH)
you are exalted(BI) far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,(BJ)
for he guards(BK) the lives of his faithful ones(BL)
and delivers(BM) them from the hand of the wicked.(BN)
11 Light shines[b](BO) on the righteous(BP)
and joy on the upright in heart.(BQ)
12 Rejoice in the Lord,(BR) you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.(BS)
Footnotes
- Psalm 96:9 Or Lord with the splendor of
- Psalm 97:11 One Hebrew manuscript and ancient versions (see also 112:4); most Hebrew manuscripts Light is sown
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.