Psalms 97
What Happens in This Chapter
This psalm says that the LORD is king over the whole earth. It pictures him coming with clouds, fire, and lightning, and the mountains melting before him. People who trust in idols are put to shame, and the city of Zion is glad. The psalm ends by telling good people to be happy and to thank God.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
1The LORD is king! Let the earth be happy. Let all the faraway lands by the sea be glad.
"Isles" meant lands across the sea, even far-off ones. It did not only mean small islands.
2Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
2Clouds and darkness are all around him. His kingdom rests on doing what is right and fair.
3A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
3Fire goes ahead of him. It burns up his enemies on every side.
4His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
4His lightning lights up the whole world. The earth sees it and shakes.
5The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
5The mountains melt like wax when the LORD comes near. He is the Lord of the whole earth.
6The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
6The skies tell everyone that God does what is right. All people see how great he is.
7Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
7Everyone who bows to statues will be ashamed. They brag about their idols, which are only made things. All you gods, bow down to the LORD!
"Confounded" here means put to shame, not confused. "Graven images" are statues people carved and worshiped.
8Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
8The city of Zion heard this and was glad. The towns of Judah were happy too, because of your fair decisions, LORD.
9For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
9LORD, you are higher than everything on earth. You are lifted up far above every other god.
10Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
10You who love the LORD, hate what is evil. He keeps his faithful people safe. He saves them from the power of bad people.
11Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
11Light is planted like seed for people who do right. Joy is planted for those with honest hearts.
12Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
12Be happy in the LORD, you who do right. Say thank you to him, for he is holy.
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