Psalm 97 | New International Reader’s Version

1 The LORD rules. Let the earth be glad. Let countries that are far away be full of joy.

2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him. His rule is built on what is right and fair.

3 The LORD sends fire ahead of him. It burns up his enemies all around him.

4 His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees it and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax when the LORD is near. He is the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens announce that what he does is right. All people everywhere see his glory.

7 All who worship statues of gods or boast about them are put to shame. All you gods, worship the LORD!

8 Zion hears about it and is filled with joy. LORD, the villages of Judah are glad because of how you judge.

9 LORD, you are the Most High God. You rule over the whole earth. You are honoured much more than all gods.

10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil. He guards the lives of those who are faithful to him. He saves them from the power of sinful people.

11 Good things come to those who do what is right. Joy comes to those whose hearts are honest.

12 You who are godly, be glad because of what the LORD has done. Praise him, because his name is holy.

Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV® (Anglicised) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.® Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide. “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission.

English Standard Version

The Lord Reigns

1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around.

4 His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.

7 All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O Lord.

9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown* for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

The ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®) copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV^® Text Edition: 2016. The ESV^® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. The ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.