Psalm 97

God the Supreme Ruler

97The Lord is king! Earth, be glad!

Rejoice, you islands of the seas!

²Clouds and darkness surround him;

he rules with righteousness and justice.

³Fire goes in front of him

and burns up his enemies round him.

⁴His lightning lights up the world;

the earth sees it and trembles.

⁵The hills melt like wax

before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.

⁶The heavens proclaim his righteousness,

and all the nations see his glory.

⁷Everyone who worships idols is put to shame;

all the gods bow down^v before the Lord.

⁸The people of Zion are glad,

and the cities of Judah rejoice

because of your judgements, O Lord.

⁹Lord Almighty, you are ruler of all the earth;

you are much greater than all the gods.

¹⁰The Lord loves those who hate evil;^w

he protects the lives of his people;

he rescues them from the power of the wicked.

¹¹Light shines on the righteous,

and gladness on the good.

¹²All you that are righteous be glad

because of what the Lord has done!

Remember what the holy God has done,

and give thanks to him.