1 Jehovah reigneth; let the earth rejoice, let the many islands be glad.
2 Cloud and darkness [are] around him, righteousness and judgment the foundation of his throne.
3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his foes round about.
4 His lightnings lightened the world; the earth saw and trembled.
5 Mountains melted like wax before Jehovah, before the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.
7 Ashamed be all that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols! Worship him, all ye gods (angels, as in Psalm 8:6)!
8 Zion heard and rejoiced, and Judah’s daughters were glad, because of thy judgments, O Jehovah.
9 For thou, Jehovah, [art] Most High above all the earth, thou art exceedingly exalted above all gods.
10 Lovers of Jehovah, hate evil! He keepeth the souls of his saints (pious ones), from the hand of the wicked ones he delivereth them.
11 Light [is] sown for the righteous one, and gladness for the upright in heart.
12 Be glad in Jehovah, ye righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Notes on Psalm 97
Such is the song in reply. It is the earth rejoicing through the execution of divine judgments because Jehovah reigns in that day. Zion rejoices on hearing, and Judah’s daughters too; a blessed trait in it, for naturally how different had all been! So the heavens here declare Jehovah’s righteousness; the earth certainly was far from it, though we, Christians, know it still more gloriously in Him Who is on the Father’s throne.