Psalm 97

¹97God rules: there’s something to shout over!

On the double, mainlands and islands—celebrate!

²Bright clouds and storm clouds circle ’round him;

Right and justice anchor his rule.

³Fire blazes out before him,

Flaming high up the craggy mountains.

⁴His lightnings light up the world;

Earth, wide-eyed, trembles in fear.

⁵The mountains take one look at God

And melt, melt like wax before earth’s Lord.

⁶The heavens announce that he’ll set everything right,

And everyone will see it happen—glorious!

^7–8All who serve handcrafted gods will be sorry—

And they were so proud of their ragamuffin gods!

On your knees, all you gods—worship him!

And Zion, you listen and take heart!

Daughters of Zion, sing your hearts out:

God has done it all, has set everything right.

⁹You, God, are High God of the cosmos,

Far, far higher than any of the gods.

¹⁰God loves all who hate evil,

And those who love him he keeps safe,

Snatches them from the grip of the wicked.

¹¹Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people,

Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.

¹²So, God’s people, shout praise to God,

Give thanks to our Holy God!