> [[psalm-96|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-98|Next →]] --- # Psalm 97 ## The Divine Ruler of All ### I 1 The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; ^psalm-97-1 let the many islands be glad. 2 Cloud and darkness surround him; ^psalm-97-2 justice and right are the foundation of his throne. 3 Fire goes before him, ^psalm-97-3 consuming his foes on every side. 4 His lightning illumines the world; ^psalm-97-4 the earth sees and trembles. 5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, ^psalm-97-5 before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his justice; ^psalm-97-6 all peoples see his glory. ### II 7 All who serve idols are put to shame, ^psalm-97-7 who glory in worthless things; all gods bow down before him. 8 Zion hears and is glad, ^psalm-97-8 and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments, O LORD. 9 For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth, ^psalm-97-9 exalted far above all gods. 10 You who love the LORD, hate evil, ^psalm-97-10 he protects the souls of the faithful, rescues them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light dawns for the just, ^psalm-97-11 and gladness for the honest of heart. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, you just, ^psalm-97-12 and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. \* (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. ([[psalm-18|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]. a. (97:1) [Ps 75:4]; [93:1]; [96:10]. b. (97:2) [Ps 85:11]; [89:15]; ([[exodus-19|Ex 19]]:6]; [Dt 4:11]; [5:22]; [1 Kgs 8:12]. c. (97:4) ([[psalm-18|Ps 18]]:8]; [50:3]; [77:18]; [99:1]; [Jgs 5:4] – [5]. d. (97:5) [[judith-16|Jdt 16]]:15; [Mi 1:4]. e. (97:6) [Ps 50:6]. f. (97:7) [Ps 96:5]. g. (97:8) [Ps 48:12]. h. (97:9) [Ps 83:19]. i. (97:10) [Ps 121:7]. j. (97:11) [Ps 112:4]. k. (97:12) [Ps 30:5]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-96|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-98|Next →]]