Psalm 97

The Majestic King

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

Clouds and thick 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 all the earth.(E)

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

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

Zion hears and is glad,
and the towns[b] of Judah rejoice
because of Your judgments, Lord.(J)
For You, Lord,
are the Most High over all the earth;
You are exalted above all the gods.(K)

10 You who love the Lord, hate evil!(L)
He protects the lives of His godly 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 Yahweh, you righteous ones,
and praise His holy name.[e](P)

Footnotes

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

The Lord is King

97 The Lord reigns!
    Let the earth rejoice!
        May many islands be glad!

Thick clouds are all around him;
    righteousness and justice are his throne’s foundation.
Fire goes out from his presence
    to consume his enemies on every side.
His lightning bolts light the world;
    the earth sees and shakes.
Mountains melt like wax in the Lord’s presence—
    In the presence of the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens declare his righteousness
    so that all the nations see his glory.

All who serve carved images—
    and those who praise idols—will be humiliated.
        Worship him, all you “gods”!

Zion hears and rejoices;
    the towns[a] of Judah rejoice
        on account of your justice, Lord.
For you, Lord, are the Most High above all the earth;
    you are exalted high above all divine beings.[b]

10 Hate evil, you who love the Lord!
    He guards the lives of those who love him,[c]
        delivering them from domination by[d] the wicked.
11 Light shines on the righteous;
    gladness on the morally upright.[e]
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones!
    Give thanks at the mention of his holiness!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 97:8 Lit. daughters
  2. Psalm 97:9 Or all gods
  3. Psalm 97:10 Or his saints
  4. Psalm 97:10 Lit. from the hand of
  5. Psalm 97:11 Lit. the upright of heart