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

Psalm 97

The Glory of God’s Reign

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice;
    let the many coastlands be glad!(A)
Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
    righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.(B)
Fire goes before him
    and consumes his adversaries on every side.(C)
His lightnings light up the world;
    the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
    before the Lord of all the earth.(D)

The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    and all the peoples behold his glory.
All servants of images are put to shame,
    those who make their boast in worthless idols;
    all gods bow down before him.(E)
Zion hears and is glad,
    and the towns[a] of Judah rejoice
    because of your judgments, O God.(F)
For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
    you are exalted far above all gods.(G)

10 You who love the Lord, hate evil;
    he guards the lives of his faithful;
    he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.(H)
11 Light dawns[b] for the righteous
    and joy for the upright in heart.(I)
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
    and give thanks to his holy name!

Footnotes

  1. 97.8 Heb daughters
  2. 97.11 Gk Syr Jerome: Heb is sown