Psalms 97
97
Psalm 97#sn Psalm 97. The psalmist depicts the Lord as the sovereign, just king of the world who comes in power to vindicate his people.
1 The Lord reigns!
Let the earth be happy!
Let the many coastlands rejoice!
2 Dark clouds surround him;
equity and justice are the foundation of his throne.#sn The Lord’s throne symbolizes his kingship.
3 Fire goes before him;
on every side#tn Heb “all around.” it burns up his enemies.
4 His lightning bolts light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The sky declares his justice,
and all the nations see his splendor.
7 All who worship idols are ashamed,
those who boast about worthless idols.
All the gods bow down before him.#tn The translation assumes that the prefixed verbal form in the first line is an imperfect (“are ashamed”) and that the ambiguous form in the third line is a perfect (“bow down”) because the psalmist appears to be describing the effect of the Lord’s mighty theophany on those who witness it (see vv. 5, 8). Another option is to take the prefixed form in the first line as a jussive (“let all who worship idols be ashamed”) and the ambiguous form in the third line as an imperative (“All you gods, bow down before him!”; cf. NIV).
8 Zion hears and rejoices,
the towns#tn Heb “daughters.” The term “daughters” refers to the cities of Judah surrounding Zion (see Ps 48:11 and H. Haag, TDOT 2:336). of Judah are happy,
because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you, O Lord, are the sovereign king#tn Traditionally “Most High.” over the whole earth;
you are elevated high above all gods.
10 You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He protects#tn The participle may be verbal, though it might also be understood as substantival and appositional to “the Lord.” In this case one could translate, “Hate evil, you who love the Lord, the one who protects the lives…and delivers them.” the lives of his faithful followers;
he delivers them from the power#tn Heb “hand.” of the wicked.
11 The godly bask in the light;
the morally upright experience joy.#tn Heb “Light is planted for the godly, and for the upright of heart joy.” The translation assumes an emendation of זָרַע (zara’, “planted”) to זָרַח (zara’, “shines”) which collocates more naturally with “light.” “Light” here symbolizes the joy (note the following line) that accompanies deliverance and the outpouring of divine favor.
12 You godly ones, rejoice in the Lord!
Give thanks to his holy name.#tn Heb “to his holy remembrance.” The Hebrew noun זָכַר (zakhar, “remembrance”) here refers to the name of the Lord as invoked in liturgy and praise. Cf. Pss 6:5; 30:4. The Lord’s “name” is “holy” in the sense that it is a reminder of his uniqueness and greatness.
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Psalms 97: NET
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Psalms 97
97
God the Supreme Ruler
1The 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#97.7 all the gods bow down; or bow down, all gods. before the LORD.
8The people of Zion are glad,
and the cities of Judah rejoice
because of your judgements, O LORD.
9 LORD Almighty, you are ruler of all the earth;
you are much greater than all the gods.
10The LORD loves those who hate evil;#97.10 Probable text The LORD loves those who hate evil; Hebrew Hate evil, you who love the LORD.
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.
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Good News Bible with Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.