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!]

YHWH has reigned, The earth is joyful, many islands rejoice.

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

Cloud and darkness [are] around Him, Righteousness and judgment the basis 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 burns around His adversaries.

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 have lightened the world, The earth has seen, and is pained.

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

Hills, like wax, melted before YHWH, 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 declared His righteousness, And all the peoples have seen 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.

All servants of a carved image are ashamed, Those boasting themselves in idols, Bow yourselves to Him, all you gods.

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 has heard and rejoices, And daughters of Judah are joyful, Because of Your judgments, O YHWH.

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, YHWH, [are] Most High over all the earth, You have been exalted greatly over 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].

You who love YHWH, hate evil, He is keeping the souls of His saints, He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

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

Light [is] sown for the righteous, And joy for the upright of heart.

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

Rejoice, you righteous, in YHWH, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness!