USB ~ Psalms 97

The Divine Ruler of All

1 The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad. a

2 Cloud and darkness surround him; justice and right are the foundation of his throne. b

3 Fire goes before him, consuming his foes on every side.

4 His lightning illumines the world; the earth sees and trembles. c

5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. d

6 The heavens proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory. e

7 All who serve idols are put to shame, who glory in worthless things; all gods† bow down before him. f

8 Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments, O LORD. g

9 For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth, h exalted far above all gods.

10 You who love the LORD, hate evil, he protects the souls of the faithful, i rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

11 Light dawns for the just, and gladness for the honest of heart. j

12 Rejoice in the LORD, you just, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. k

Footnotes

†. Psalm 97 The hymn begins with God appearing in a storm, a traditional picture of some ancient Near Eastern gods (Ps 97:1-6); cf. Ps 18:8-16; Mi 1:3-4; Heb 3:3-15. Israel rejoices in the overthrowing of idol worshipers and their gods (Ps 97:7-9) and the rewarding of the faithful righteous (Ps 97:10-12).

†. 97:7 All gods: divine beings thoroughly subordinate to Israel’s God. The Greek translates “angels,” an interpretation adopted by Heb 1:6.

97:1 Ps 75:4; 93:1; 96:10.
97:2 Ps 85:11; 89:15; Ex 19:6; Dt 4:11; 5:22; 1 Kgs 8:12.
97:4 Ps 18:8; 50:3; 77:18; 99:1; Jgs 5:4-5.
97:5 Jdt 16:15; Mi 1:4.
97:6 Ps 50:6.
97:7 Ps 96:5.
97:8 Ps 48:12.
97:9 Ps 83:19.
97:10 Ps 121:7.
97:11 Ps 112:4.
97:12 Ps 30:5.