Psalms 97
[1]The majesty of God's kingdom. [8]The church rejoiceth at God's judgments against idolaters, and his universal sovereignty. [10]An exhortation to godliness and joy in the Lord.
1. The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
2. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
3. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
4. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
5. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
7. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
8. Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
9. For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
10. Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
11. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
12. Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods. Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods. Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
NKJV
1.
The Lord reigns;
Let the earth rejoice;
Let the multitude of isles be glad!
2.
Clouds and darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3.
A fire goes before Him,
And burns up His enemies round about.
4.
His lightnings light the world;
The earth sees and trembles.
5.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6.
The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples see His glory.
7.
Let all be put to shame who serve carved images,
Who boast of idols.
Worship Him, all you gods.
8.
Zion hears and is glad,
And the daughters of Judah rejoice
Because of Your judgments, O Lord.
9.
For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.
10.
You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
11.
Light is sown for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in heart.
12.
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
The Lord reigns;
Let the earth rejoice;
Let the multitude of isles be glad!
Clouds and darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
A fire goes before Him,
And burns up His enemies round about.
His lightnings light the world;
The earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples see His glory.
Let all be put to shame who serve carved images,
Who boast of idols.
Worship Him, all you gods.
Zion hears and is glad,
And the daughters of Judah rejoice
Because of Your judgments, O Lord.
For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.
You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
Metrical version
Psalm 97
C.M. Irish
GOD reigneth, let the earth be glad, and isles rejoice each one. Dark clouds him compass; and in right with judgment dwells his throne. Fire goes before him, and his foes it burns up round about: His lightnings lighten did the world; earth saw, and shook throughout. Hills at the presence of the LORD, like wax, did melt away; Ev'n at the presence of the Lord of all the earth, I say. The heav'ns declare his righteousness, all men his glory see. All who serve graven images, confounded let them be. Who do of idols boast themselves, let shame upon them fall: Ye that are called gods, see that ye do him worship all. Zion did hear, and joyful was, glad Judah's daughters were; They much rejoiced, O LORD, because thy judgments did appear. For thou, O LORD, art high above all things on earth that are; Above all other gods thou art exalted very far. Hate ill, all ye that love the LORD: his saints' souls keepeth he; And from the hands of wicked men he sets them safe and free. For all those that be righteous sown is a joyful light, And gladness sown is for all those that are in heart upright. Ye righteous, in the LORD rejoice; express your thankfulness, When ye into your memory do call his holiness.
This psalm is of the same strain with the preceding; and contains, (1.) Solemn calls to the Gentile nations to rejoice at the equity and extent of Jesus' new-testament kingdom, and at the destruction of hardened Jews and heathen idolaters, occasioned by the establishment thereof, ver. 1-7. (2.) Representations of the pure and holy joy of the saints, on account of Jesus' highness, and the glory of God manifested therein, and of the care taken for their safety and comfort, ver. 8-12.
Join the choir, O my soul. Sing praises to thy King; sing praises with understanding.