Psalms 97 (ASV)

Chapter Text

97:1 Jehovah reigneth; let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad.

97:2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

97:3 A fire goeth before him, And burneth up his adversaries round about.

97:4 His lightnings lightened the world: The earth saw, and trembled.

97:5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of Jehovah, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

97:6 The heavens declare his righteousness, And all the peoples have seen his glory.

97:7 Let all them be put to shame that serve graven images, That boast themselves of idols: Worship him, all ye gods.

97:8 Zion heard and was glad, And the daughters of Judah rejoiced, Because of thy judgments, O Jehovah.

97:9 For thou, Jehovah, art most high above all the earth: Thou art exalted far above all gods.

97:10 O ye that love Jehovah, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

97:11 Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.

97:12 Be glad in Jehovah, ye righteous; And give thanks to his holy memorial [name]. Psalm 98 A Psalm.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "world", "light", "darkness", "jehovah", "reigneth", "earth", "rejoice", and "multitude". It is saying that the contrast between light and darkness marks a real divide in how people respond to God's work.

The local ASV text gives this verse as the immediate unit, so "world" and "light" carries the first interpretive weight. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "world" and "light" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.