Psalm 97

Psalm 97

¹The Lord rules. Let the earth be glad.

Let countries that are far away be full of joy.

²Clouds and thick darkness surround him.

His rule is built on what is right and fair.

³The Lord sends fire ahead of him.

It burns up his enemies all around him.

⁴His lightning lights up the world.

The earth sees it and trembles.

⁵The mountains melt like wax when the Lord is near.

He is the Lord of the whole earth.

⁶The heavens announce that what he does is right.

All people everywhere see his glory.

⁷All who worship statues of gods or brag about them are put to shame.

All you gods, worship the Lord!

⁸Zion hears about it and is filled with joy.

Lord, the villages of Judah are glad

because of how you judge.

⁹Lord, you are the Most High God.

You rule over the whole earth.

You are honored much more than all gods.

¹⁰Let those who love the Lord hate evil.

He guards the lives of those who are faithful to him.

He saves them from the power of sinful people.

¹¹The light of his favor shines on those who do what is right.

Joy comes to those whose hearts are honest.

¹²You who are godly, be glad because of what the Lord has done.

Praise him, because his name is holy.