< Psalms 97 >
1 YHWH has reigned, The earth is joyful, many islands rejoice.
Yahweh is the king! I want [everyone on] the earth to be glad/happy, and the [people who live on] the islands in the oceans to [also] rejoice [about that!]
2 Cloud and darkness [are] around Him, Righteousness and judgment the basis of His throne.
There are very dark clouds around him [to hide him]; he rules [MTY] righteously/justly and fairly.
3 Fire goes before Him, And burns around His adversaries.
He [sends] fire in front of him, and he completely burns all his enemies in that fire.
4 His lightnings have lightened the world, The earth has seen, and is pained.
All around the world he causes lightning to flash; [people on] the earth see it, and it causes them to [be afraid and] tremble.
5 Hills, like wax, melted before YHWH, Before the Lord of all the earth.
The mountains/hills melt like wax in front of Yahweh, the one who is the Lord, [who rules] over all the earth.
6 The heavens declared His righteousness, And all the peoples have seen His glory.
The [angels in] [MTY] heaven proclaim that he acts righteously, and all the people-groups see his glory.
7 All servants of a carved image are ashamed, Those boasting themselves in idols, Bow yourselves to Him, all you gods.
Everyone who worships idols should be ashamed; all those who are proud of their false gods [should realize that their gods are useless], [It is as though] all those gods bow down [to worship] Yahweh.
8 Zion has heard and rejoices, And daughters of Judah are joyful, Because of Your judgments, O YHWH.
[The people] [MTY] of Jerusalem hear [about Yahweh] and are glad/happy, and [people in the other] [MTY] cities in Judah [also] rejoice, because Yahweh judges [and punishes wicked people].
9 For You, YHWH, [are] Most High over all the earth, You have been exalted greatly over all gods.
Yahweh is the supreme [king] over all the earth; he has very great power, and all the [other] gods have no power at all.
10 You who love YHWH, hate evil, He is keeping the souls of His saints, He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Yahweh loves those who hate what [people do that] is evil; he protects the lives of his people, and he rescues them when the wicked [people try to harm them].
11 Light [is] sown for the righteous, And joy for the upright of heart.
His light shines on righteous [people]; he causes those who are righteous to rejoice.
12 Rejoice, you righteous, in YHWH, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness!
You righteous [people], rejoice about what Yahweh [has done], and thank him, our holy God!