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Yahweh’s Glorious Reign

97 Yahweh is king! Let the earth rejoice;
let many coastlands be glad.
Cloud and thick darkness are surrounding him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him,
and devours his enemies round about.
His lightnings light the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Yahweh,
at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
Let all who serve an image be ashamed,
those who boast about idols.[a]
Worship him, all you gods.
Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice
because of your judgments, O Yahweh.
For you, O Yahweh, are most high over all the earth.
You are highly[b] exalted above all gods.
10 You who love Yahweh, hate evil.
He protects the lives of his faithful;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name.[c]

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 97:7 This word for idols suggests something worthless or insignificant
  2. Psalm 97:9 Hebrew “very”
  3. Psalm 97:12 Literally “to his holy remembrance” or “to his memorable holiness”

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