Psalm 97

A Hymn About the Lord’s Power

97The Lord is king. Let the earth rejoice;

faraway lands should be glad.

²Thick, dark clouds surround him.

His kingdom is built on what is right and fair.

³A fire goes before him

and burns up his enemies all around.

⁴His lightning lights up the world;

when the people see it, they tremble.

⁵The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

before the Lord of all the earth.

⁶The heavens tell about his goodness,

and all the people see his glory.

⁷Those who worship idols should be ashamed;

they brag about their gods.

All the gods should worship the Lord.

⁸When Jerusalem hears this, she is glad,

and the towns of Judah rejoice.

They are happy because of your judgments, Lord.

⁹You are the Lord Most High over all the earth;

you are supreme over all gods.

¹⁰People who love the Lord hate evil.

The Lord watches over those who follow him

and frees them from the power of the wicked.

¹¹Light shines on those who do right;

joy belongs to those who are honest.

¹²Rejoice in the Lord, you who do right.

Praise his holy name.