Psalm 97

The Majestic King

The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice;
let the many coasts and islands be glad.(A)

Clouds and total darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.(B)
Fire goes before him
and burns up his foes on every side.(C)
His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.(D)
The mountains melt like wax
at the presence of the Lord
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.(E)

The heavens proclaim his righteousness;(F)
all the peoples see his glory.(G)

All who serve carved images,
those who boast in worthless idols, will be put to shame.(H)
All the gods[a] must worship him.(I)

Zion hears and is glad,
Judah’s villages[b] rejoice
because of your judgments, Lord.(J)
For you, Lord,
are the Most High over the whole earth;
you are exalted above all the gods.(K)

10 You who love the Lord, hate evil!(L)
He protects the lives of his faithful ones;(M)
he rescues them from the power of the wicked.(N)
11 Light dawns[c][d] for the righteous,
gladness for the upright in heart.(O)
12 Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.[e](P)

Footnotes

  1. 97:7 LXX, Syr read All his angels; Heb 1:6
  2. 97:8 Lit daughters
  3. 97:11 One Hb ms, LXX, some ancient versions read rises to shine; Ps 112:4
  4. 97:11 Lit Light is sown
  5. 97:12 Lit to the memory of his holiness

24 One with many friends may be harmed,[a]
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 18:24 Some LXX mss, Syr, Tg, Vg read friends must be friendly

The Wisdom from Above

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.(A) 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth.(B) 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.(C) 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.(D) 18 And the fruit of righteousness(E) is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

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