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Psalms 97
The same opening shout as Psalm 93 — "The LORD reigns!" — but here the response is a storm theophany. Clouds, fire, and lightning surround the throne; mountains "melt like wax" and the earth trembles (vv.4-5). The scene then narrows to a reaction: Zion hears and is glad, the daughters of Judah rejoice over God's judgments (v.8). Watch how the cosmic display lands as a moral command — "hate evil" (v.10).
- 1
The LORD reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!
- 2
Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
- 3
A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.
- 4
His lightning lights up 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. All the peoples have seen his glory.
- 7
Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images, who boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods!
- 8
Zion heard and was glad. The daughters of Judah rejoiced because of your judgments, 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
Be glad in the LORD, you righteous people! Give thanks to his holy Name.
What the fire is for
The blaze that burns up adversaries (v.3) is not random terror; it exposes the futility of idols, shaming "all them...who boast in their idols" (v.7). The same glory that makes mountains melt is the foundation of a throne built on "righteousness and justice" (v.2).
The psalm ends quietly with a sown field: "Light is sown for the righteous" (v.11). After all the fire, the last image is patient and agricultural — gladness planted now, harvested later by the upright in heart.
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