Psalms 97

1 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] reigns [to advise or counsel, to rule as king], let the earth [the land, the soil or ground] rejoice [to be glad, to express strong emotions]; let the distant shores [coastlands, many islands] be glad [to rejoice, to be full of joy]. word study 2 Clouds [dark and thick] and darkness [gloom or thick darkness] surround Him; righteousness [God’s character, moral integrity] and justice [righteous judgment, fair decision] are His throne’s [seat of power, authority] foundation [base, established place]. word study 3 Fire [burning, flame] goes before Him [in His presence, face to face] and consumes [burns up, completely destroys] His foes [enemies, adversaries] on every side [around, surrounding Him]. word study 4 His lightning [flashes of light, bright flames] illuminates [gives light to, lightened] the world [the earth and its inhabitants]; the earth [land, ground] sees [looks after, perceives] and trembles [twists in fear, is pained]. word study 5 The mountains [hills] melt like wax [figuratively, as something that melts away] at the presence [face, before] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], before the Lord [master, ruler] of all [everything, the whole] the earth [land, territory, creation]. word study 6 The heavens [the visible universe, God’s abode] proclaim [declare openly, tell] His righteousness [God’s standard, justice]; all [every, the entire world] the peoples [nations, people groups] see [look after, gaze upon] His glory [great honor, splendor]. word study 7 All [every single one, without exception] worshipers of images [idols, carved statues, false gods] are put to shame [ashamed, humiliated, disgraced]— those who boast [take pride, glory] in idols [worthless objects, false deities]. Worship [bow down, pay homage to] Him, all [every single one] you gods [divine beings, supernatural entities]! word study 8 Zion [the city of God, a mountain in Jerusalem] hears [to hear and listen, often implying attention and obedience] and rejoices [to rejoice or be glad, often used in a religious sense], and the towns [cities, daughters] of Judah [the tribe descended from Judah, a region] exult [rejoice, are glad] because of [for the sake of, on account of] Your judgments [justice, righteous decisions], O LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 9 For You, O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], are Most High [exalted, supreme] over all [every part of] the earth [land, territory]; You are exalted [lifted up, greatly elevated] far above all [every kind of] gods [Elohim, divine beings]. word study 10 Hate [intensely dislike, turn away from] evil, O you who love [have affection for, are devoted to] the LORD [Yehovah, the one true God]! He preserves [keeps, watches over] the souls [the essence of being, the inner person] of His saints [pious ones, faithful followers]; He delivers [rescues, saves] them from the hand [power, control] of the wicked [morally wrong, sinful ones]. word study 11 Light [sown, spread abroad] shines on the righteous [those made just, upright], gladness [joy, happiness] on the upright [straight, just] in heart [the seat of feelings, will, and intellect]. word study 12 Rejoice [be glad, celebrate] in the LORD [Yehovah, the holy God], you righteous [just, upright men] ones, and praise [give thanks, honor] His holy [set apart, sacred] name [memorial, remembrance of His nature]. word study