Psalms 97

1 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!]

The Lord is king, let the earth rejoice: let her many isles be glad.

2 There are very dark clouds around him [to hide him]; he rules [MTY] righteously/justly and fairly.

Clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and right are the base of his throne.

3 He [sends] fire in front of him, and he completely burns all his enemies in that fire.

Fire goes before him, and blazes around his steps,

4 All around the world he causes lightning to flash; [people on] the earth see it, and it causes them to [be afraid and] tremble.

his lightnings illumine the world: the earth quakes at the sight.

5 The mountains/hills melt like wax in front of Yahweh, the one who is the Lord, [who rules] over all the earth.

Mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The [angels in] [MTY] heaven proclaim that he acts righteously, and all the people-groups see his glory.

The heavens proclaim his justice, all nations behold his glory.

7 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.

Shamed are all image-worshippers, who make a boast of their idols. All the gods bow before him.

8 [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].

Zion is glad at the tidings, the towns of Judah rejoice because of your judgments, Lord.

9 Yahweh is the supreme [king] over all the earth; he has very great power, and all the [other] gods have no power at all.

For you are most high over all the earth, greatly exalted above all gods.

10 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].

The Lord loves those who hate evil, he guards the lives of the faithful: from the hand of the wicked he saves them.

11 His light shines on righteous [people]; he causes those who are righteous to rejoice.

Light arises for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.

12 You righteous [people], rejoice about what Yahweh [has done], and thank him, our holy God!

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous: give thanks to his holy name.