THE LORD REIGNS

Passage: Psalms 97:1-12

Key verse: 1

NIV

Psalm 97

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

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

8 Zion hears and rejoices
    and the villages of Judah are glad(W)
    because of your judgments,(X) Lord.
9 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)

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 97:11 One Hebrew manuscript and ancient versions (see also 112:4); most Hebrew manuscripts Light is sown
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Lord Reigns

97 (A)The Lord reigns, (B)let the earth rejoice;
    let the many (C)coastlands be glad!
2 (D)Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
    (E)righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 (F)Fire goes before him
    and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His (G)lightnings light up the world;
    the earth sees and (H)trembles.
5 The mountains (I)melt like (J)wax before the Lord,
    before (K)the Lord of all the earth.

6 (L)The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    and all (M)the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are (N)put to shame,
    who make their boast in (O)worthless idols;
    (P)worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and (Q)is glad,
    and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
    because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you, O Lord, are (R)most high over all the earth;
    you are exalted far above (S)all gods.

10 O you who love the Lord, (T)hate evil!
    He (U)preserves the lives of his (V)saints;
    he (W)delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 (X)Light (Y)is sown[a] for the righteous,
    and joy for the upright in heart.
12 (Z)Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
    and (AA)give thanks to his holy name!

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 97:11 Most Hebrew manuscripts; one Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint, Syriac, Jerome Light dawns
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. All peoples will see his glory (1-7)

When the Lord reigns, the whole earth rejoices. The Lord is holy; clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. All his enemies will be consumed by fire. His lightning lights up the whole world, exposing all darkness. All people of the earth will see his glory. All those who worship false gods should tremble and repent, and worship him alone.

2. He guards the lives of the faithful (8-12)

The mighty Creator God who rules with power and justice also guards the lives of his faithful ones. He delivers them from the hands of their enemies. His light strikes the earth like lightning. His light not only exposes sin and evil; it also sheds light on the righteous. His joy fills the upright in heart.

Prayer: Lord, shine the light of your gospel on the whole world, so that all people may know you and praise you. Shine in my heart today.

One Word: God's light floods the earth