Psalm 97:8 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, Lord.

NASB: Zion heard this and was joyful, And the daughters of Judah have rejoiced Because of Your judgments, Lord.

CSB: Zion hears and is glad, Judah’s villages rejoice because of your judgments, Lord.

NLT: Jerusalem has heard and rejoiced, and all the towns of Judah are glad because of your justice, O Lord!

KJV: Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord.

NKJV: Zion hears and is glad, And the daughters of Judah rejoice Because of Your judgments, O Lord.

Psalm 97:1–9 looks forward to the Lord's reign over all the earth (Revelation 20:4). His coming will be marked with clouds and darkness, lightning, and fire. When the Lord returns, He will bring judgment on those who oppose Him (Revelation 19:11–15). Those who chose worthless idols instead of the One True God will be ashamed. God's people should feel joy at knowing that the Lord is sovereign.

The psalmist writes as if seeing God's completed judgment and rule over the earth (Revelation 20:4). This is described in dramatic terms; God's holiness and wrath are expressed by darkness, lightning, and fire. Yet the world also experiences His goodness and perfect justice. Those who believed in false gods are ashamed, but God's people celebrate. Those who hate evil and love God's goodness (Proverbs 8:13) should express gratitude to the Lord.

Psalms 24, 27, 93, and 95—99 are "enthronement" psalms. These express joy at God ruling over the entire world. Many look forward to when this rule is direct and personal (Revelation 20:4). This psalm speaks from an end-times perspective when the Lord has returned to bring judgment and justice. It does so more than the others in this group.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/22/2024 12:13:56 PM