Christianity
Psalms 97Clouds and Darkness Round About Him
Summary
Psalm 97 proclaims that the LORD reigns and calls the earth and the many isles to rejoice. In storm imagery reminiscent of Sinai, clouds and darkness surround him, fire goes before him, lightning lights the world, and the hills melt like wax. Those who serve graven images are put to shame, while Zion rejoices at his judgments. The psalm ends by urging those who love the LORD to hate evil and promising that light is sown for the righteous.
Key verse
“Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.”
Psalms 97:11
Themes
- God's Reign
- Divine Appearing
- Shame of Idolatry
- Light for the Righteous
Text
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.
Across traditions
Christianity
Exodus 19: Fire and Cloud on SinaiExodus 19:16 to 18 describes thunder, lightning, thick cloud and fire on Mount Sinai. Psalm 97 uses the same imagery to describe God appearing as king over all the earth.
Judaism
Psalm 97 in the JPS 1917 TanakhPsalm 97 is recited in the Kabbalat Shabbat service, and its verse about light sown for the righteous is chanted in many communities before Kol Nidre on the eve of Yom Kippur.
Questions about Psalms 97
What does 'light is sown for the righteous' mean?
Psalm 97:11 pictures light and gladness scattered like seed for the upright, suggesting that joy may grow over time even when it is not yet visible. Many Jewish communities recite this verse before the Kol Nidre prayer on Yom Kippur.
Why does Psalm 97 mention the isles?
The many isles in 97:1 are distant coastlands across the sea, a biblical way of describing the far reaches of the known world. The psalm's call to rejoice extends God's reign beyond Israel to every land.