Psalms 97

Psalm 97¹

97:1 The Lord reigns!

Let the earth be happy!

Let the many coastlands rejoice!

97:2 Dark clouds surround him;

equity and justice are the foundation of his throne.²

97:3 Fire goes before him;

on every side³ it burns up his enemies.

97:4 His lightning bolts light up the world;

the earth sees and trembles.

97:5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

before the Lord of the whole earth.

97:6 The sky declares his justice,

and all the nations see his splendor.

97:7 All who worship idols are ashamed,

those who boast about worthless idols.

All the gods bow down before him.⁴

97:8 Zion hears and rejoices,

the towns⁵ of Judah are happy,

because of your judgments, O Lord.

97:9 For you, O Lord, are the sovereign king⁶ over the whole earth;

you are elevated high above all gods.

97:10 You who love the Lord, hate evil!

He protects⁷ the lives of his faithful followers;

he delivers them from the power⁸ of the wicked.

97:11 The godly bask in the light;

the morally upright experience joy.⁹

97:12 You godly ones, rejoice in the Lord!

Give thanks to his holy name.¹⁰

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