Psalm 97

New International Reader's Version

97 The Lord rules. Let the earth be glad.
    Let countries that are far away be full of joy.

² Clouds and thick darkness surround him.
    His rule is built on what is right and fair.
³ The Lord sends fire ahead of him.
    It burns up his enemies all around him.
⁴ His lightning lights up the world.
    The earth sees it and trembles.
⁵ The mountains melt like wax when the Lord is near.
    He is the Lord of the whole earth.
⁶ The heavens announce that what he does is right.
    All people everywhere see his glory.

⁷ All who worship statues of gods or brag about them are put to shame.
    All you gods, worship the Lord!

⁸ Zion hears about it and is filled with joy.
    Lord, the villages of Judah are glad
    because of how you judge.
⁹ Lord, you are the Most High God.
    You rule over the whole earth.
    You are honored much more than all gods.

¹⁰ Let those who love the Lord hate evil.
    He guards the lives of those who are faithful to him.
    He saves them from the power of sinful people.
¹¹ Good things come to those who do what is right.
    Joy comes to those whose hearts are honest.
¹² You who are godly, be glad because of what the Lord has done.
    Praise him, because his name is holy.