Psalm 97
God rules as the great King
97:1This is another Royal Psalm. It speaks about what happens when everybody sees that God is king. He punishes those people who do bad things and he rescues his own people.
1 The Lord rules as king!
Everyone on earth should be happy!
The people who live on the shore of the seas
should sing with joy!
2 Dark clouds are all around the Lord.
He rules with justice,
and he is fair to everyone.
3 Fire goes in front of him.
It burns up his enemies on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the whole world.
The earth sees it and it shakes with fear.
5 The mountains melt like butter
in front of the Lord,
when they see the Lord of the whole earth.
97:5Butter is made from the fat of milk. It will melt when it becomes hot.
6 The sky itself tells us that he is righteous
People from every nation see his glory.
7 Everyone who worships idols should be ashamed.
They should not boast about useless idols!
All gods like that will fall down in front of the Lord.
8 When Zion's people hear about it,
they will be happy.
Yes, the people of Judah will be very happy!
They will be happy, Lord,
because you bring justice.
97:8Judah was the name for the Israelite kingdom in the south. Jerusalem was its capital city. Zion was the place of God's home in Jerusalem.
9 You, Lord, are the Most High God
who rules over all the earth.
You are much greater than any other god!
97:9 Nations all around Judah had their own gods. When the Lord appears, everyone will know that he is the only true God.
10 If you love the Lord,
then hate anything that is evil.
The Lord protects the lives of those who serve him.
He keeps them safe from the power of wicked people.
11 God's light shines on righteous people.
Good, honest people will be very happy.
12 All you righteous people,
be happy because of what the Lord has done.
Thank him because he is holy.
