Psalms 97

Psalm 97

The Majestic King

¹The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coasts and islands be glad.²

³Clouds and total darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.⁴

⁵Fire goes before him and burns up his foes on every side.⁶

⁷His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.⁸

⁹The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord — at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.¹⁰

¹¹The heavens proclaim his righteousness; all the peoples see his glory.¹²

¹³All who serve carved images, those who boast in worthless idols, will be put to shame. All the gods must worship him.¹⁴

¹⁵Zion hears and is glad, Judah’s villages rejoice because of your judgments, Lord.¹⁶

¹⁷For you, Lord, are the Most High over the whole earth; you are exalted above all the gods.¹⁸

¹⁹You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his faithful ones; he rescues them from the power of the wicked.²⁰

²¹Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart.²²

²³Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones, and give thanks to his holy name.²⁴