WEB
Psalms 97
1Yahweh reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!
2Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.
4His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.
5The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Yahweh, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6The heavens declare his righteousness. All the peoples have seen his glory.
7Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images, who boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods!
8Zion heard and was glad. The daughters of Judah rejoiced, because of your judgments, Yahweh.
9For you, Yahweh, are most high above all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods.
10You who love Yahweh, hate evil. He preserves the souls of his saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
11Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
12Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous people! Give thanks to his holy Name. A Psalm.
Study This Passage
Key Words and Topics
These study connections are drawn from the internal BSB concordance and topical index imported into Daily Bread Intake.
Key Words in This Passage
Select a word to open the full concordance search.
Related Topics
Character of the Renewed Heart: Upright Psalm 97:11
Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart.
Christ is God: As Jehovah, Above All Psalm 97:9
For You, O LORD, are Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.
Clouds of Unsearchableness of God Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
Darkness the Following Scriptures Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
Darkness: Greatness and Unsearchableness of God Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
Fire: Frequently Employed As an Instrument of Divine Vengeance Psalm 97:3
Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.
God: Glory of Psalm 97:2–6, 9
Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation. / Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side. / His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles.
God: Incomprehensible Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
God: Invisible Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
God: Judge, and his Justice Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
God: Power of Psalm 97:3–5
Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side. / His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles. / The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
God: Preserver Psalm 97:10
Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
God: Righteousness of Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
God: Sovereign Psalm 97:1, 2, 5, 9
The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the distant shores be glad. / Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation. / The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Psalm 97:6
The heavens proclaim His righteousness; all the peoples see His glory.
God: Unsearchable Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
Hate Psalm 97:10
Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Hatred: Against Iniquity, Justified Psalm 97:10
Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Hatred: we should Exhibit Against: Evil Psalm 97:10
Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Heart: Renewed: Be Joyful Psalm 97:11
Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart.
Heart: Renewed: Upright Psalm 97:11
Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart.
Heaven: The Physical Heavens Psalm 97:6
The heavens proclaim His righteousness; all the peoples see His glory.
Holiness: General Scriptures Concerning Psalm 97:10
Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Idolatry: Denunciations Against Psalm 97:7
All worshipers of images are put to shame—those who boast in idols. Worship Him, all you gods!
Select a topic to open the full topical search.
Bible Dictionary
Related Dictionary Terms
Explore people, places, themes, and biblical terms connected to this passage.
Commentary Insights
Study and Reflection
Explore devotional and study commentary connected to this passage.
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.
Psalms 97:1-7 Verses 1-7
Though many have been made happy in Christ, still there is room. And all have reason to rejoice in Christ's government. There is a depth in his counsels, which we must not pretend to fathom; but still righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Christ's government, though it might be matter of joy to all, will yet be matter of terror to some; but it is their own fault that it is so. The most resolute and daring opposition will be baffled at the presence of the Lord. And the Lord Jesus will ere long come, and put an end to idol worship of every kind.
Psalms 97:8-12 Verses 8-12
The faithful servants of God may well rejoice and be glad, because he is glorified; and whatever tends to his honour, is his people's pleasure. Care is taken for their safety. But something more is meant than their lives. The Lord will preserve the souls of his saints from sin, from apostacy, and despair, under their greatest trials. He will deliver them out of the hands of the wicked one, and preserve them safe to his heavenly kingdom. And those that rejoice in Christ Jesus, and in his exaltation, have fountains of joy prepared for them. Those that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. Gladness is sure to the upright in heart; the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. Sinners tremble, but saints rejoice at God's holiness. As he hates sin, yet freely loves the person of the repentant sinner who believes in Christ, he will make a final separation between the person he loves and the sin he hates, and sanctify his people wholly, body, soul, and spirit.