Chapter 97
- 1
- 1 The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad.
- 2
- Cloud and darkness surround the Lord; justice and right are the foundation of his throne.
- 3
- Fire goes before him; everywhere it consumes the foes.
- 4
- Lightning illumines the world; the earth sees and trembles.
- 5
- The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
- 6
- The heavens proclaim God's justice; all peoples see his glory.
- 7
- 2 All who serve idols are put to shame, who glory in worthless things; all gods bow down before you.
- 8
- Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice because of your judgments, O LORD.
- 9
- You, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth, exalted far above all gods.
- 10
- The LORD loves those who hate evil, protects the lives of the faithful, rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
- 11
- Light dawns for the just; gladness, for the honest of heart.
- 12
- Rejoice in the LORD, you just, and praise his holy name.
Previous Chapter Next ChapterFootnotes
1 [Psalm 97] The hymn begins with God appearing in a storm, a traditional picture of some ancient Near Eastern gods (Psalm 97:1-6); cf Psalm 18:8-16; Micah 1:3-4; Hebrews 3:3-15. Israel rejoices in the overthrowing of idol worshipers and their gods (Psalm 97:7-9) and the rewarding of the faithful righteous (Psalm 97:10-12).
2 [7] All gods: divine beings thoroughly subordinate to Israel's God. The Greek translates "angels," an interpretation adopted by Hebrews 1:6.
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