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

Psalm 97

The Lord reigns,(A) let the earth be glad;(B)
    let the distant shores(C) rejoice.
Clouds(D) and thick darkness(E) surround him;
    righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.(F)
Fire(G) goes before(H) him
    and consumes(I) his foes on every side.
His lightning(J) lights up the world;
    the earth(K) sees and trembles.(L)
The mountains melt(M) like wax(N) before the Lord,
    before the Lord of all the earth.(O)
The heavens proclaim his righteousness,(P)
    and all peoples see his glory.(Q)

All who worship images(R) are put to shame,(S)
    those who boast in idols(T)
    worship him,(U) all you gods!(V)

Zion hears and rejoices
    and the villages of Judah are glad(W)
    because of your judgments,(X) Lord.
For you, Lord, are the Most High(Y) over all the earth;(Z)
    you are exalted(AA) far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,(AB)
    for he guards(AC) the lives of his faithful ones(AD)
    and delivers(AE) them from the hand of the wicked.(AF)
11 Light shines[a](AG) on the righteous(AH)
    and joy on the upright in heart.(AI)
12 Rejoice in the Lord,(AJ) you who are righteous,
    and praise his holy name.(AK)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 97:11 One Hebrew manuscript and ancient versions (see also 112:4); most Hebrew manuscripts Light is sown