THE LORD REIGNS
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)
Footnotes
- Psalm 97:11 One Hebrew manuscript and ancient versions (see also 112:4); most Hebrew manuscripts Light is sown
Cross references
- Psalm 97:1 : Ex 15:18; Ps 93:1; 96:10; 99:1; Isa 24:23; 52:7
- Psalm 97:1 : S Ps 96:11
- Psalm 97:1 : S Est 10:1
- Psalm 97:2 : S Job 22:14
- Psalm 97:2 : S Ex 19:9
- Psalm 97:2 : Ps 89:14
- Psalm 97:3 : Isa 9:19; Da 7:10; Joel 1:19; 2:3
- Psalm 97:3 : Hab 3:5
- Psalm 97:3 : S 2Sa 22:9
- Psalm 97:4 : S Job 36:30
- Psalm 97:4 : S 2Sa 22:8
- Psalm 97:4 : S Ps 18:7; 104:32; S Rev 6:12
- Psalm 97:5 : S Ps 46:2, 6
- Psalm 97:5 : S Ps 22:14
- Psalm 97:5 : S Jos 3:11
- Psalm 97:6 : Ps 50:6; 98:2
- Psalm 97:6 : S Ps 19:1
- Psalm 97:7 : S Lev 26:1
- Psalm 97:7 : Isa 42:17; Jer 10:14
- Psalm 97:7 : S Dt 5:8
- Psalm 97:7 : Heb 1:6
- Psalm 97:7 : Ex 12:12; Ps 16:4
- Psalm 97:8 : S Ps 9:2
- Psalm 97:8 : Ps 48:11
- Psalm 97:9 : Ps 7:8
- Psalm 97:9 : S Job 34:29
- Psalm 97:9 : S Ps 47:9
- Psalm 97:10 : S Job 28:28; Am 5:15; Ro 12:9
- Psalm 97:10 : Ps 145:20
- Psalm 97:10 : Ps 31:23; 37:28; Pr 2:8
- Psalm 97:10 : S Ps 34:7; Da 3:28; 6:16
- Psalm 97:10 : Ps 37:40; Jer 15:21; 20:13
- Psalm 97:11 : S Job 22:28
- Psalm 97:11 : Ps 11:5
- Psalm 97:11 : Ps 7:10
- Psalm 97:12 : S Job 22:19; Ps 104:34; Isa 41:16; Php 4:4
- Psalm 97:12 : S Ex 3:15; S Ps 99:3
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!
Footnotes
- Psalm 97:11 Most Hebrew manuscripts; one Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint, Syriac, Jerome Light dawns
Cross references
- Psalm 97:1 : See Ps. 93:1
- Psalm 97:1 : Ps. 96:11
- Psalm 97:1 : See Ps. 72:10
- Psalm 97:2 : Ex. 19:9; Deut. 4:11; 5:22; 1 Kgs. 8:12; See Ps. 18:11
- Psalm 97:2 : Ps. 89:14
- Psalm 97:3 : See Ps. 21:9; 50:3
- Psalm 97:4 : Ps. 77:18
- Psalm 97:4 : [Ps. 96:9]
- Psalm 97:5 : Nah. 1:5; [Judg. 5:5]
- Psalm 97:5 : See Ps. 68:2
- Psalm 97:5 : Josh. 3:11
- Psalm 97:6 : See Ps. 50:6
- Psalm 97:6 : Isa. 40:5; 66:18; [Ps. 96:3]
- Psalm 97:7 : Isa. 42:17; 44:9
- Psalm 97:7 : Ps. 96:5
- Psalm 97:7 : Heb. 1:6
- Psalm 97:8 : Ps. 48:11
- Psalm 97:9 : See Ps. 83:18
- Psalm 97:9 : See Ps. 95:3
- Psalm 97:10 : Prov. 8:13; Amos 5:15; Rom. 12:9; See Ps. 34:14
- Psalm 97:10 : Ps. 31:23; 37:28; 121:4; 145:20; Prov. 2:8
- Psalm 97:10 : See Ps. 30:4
- Psalm 97:10 : Dan. 3:28; 6:27; Acts 12:11
- Psalm 97:11 : Ps. 112:4; 118:27; Prov. 4:18
- Psalm 97:11 : [Prov. 11:18; Hos. 10:12; James 3:18]
- Psalm 97:12 : See Ps. 32:11
- Psalm 97:12 : See Ps. 30:4
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
The LORD is the sovereign ruler. This brings us true joy. When we consider his awesome revelation, then we are brought to see his glory. 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. Those who worship false gods must worship the LORD alone.
This mighty Creator God is the God of Israel. He is the judge and deliverer—the guardian of his chosen ones. His light shines in the hearts of all who are faithful to him. His light not only exposes sin and evil; it also sheds light on the righteous. The LORD plants joy in the hearts of those who live before him. The LORD plants praises on our lips.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for revealing the light of your glory in all the earth. Help me to be upright in heart and praise you.
One Word: Praise his holy name
