Psalm 97 - The Earth Rejoices at God's Reign
Fire, lightning, and melting hills mark this vision of God's kingship.
Psalm 97 pictures God's reign in dramatic natural imagery, 'a fire goeth before him,' 'the hills melted like wax,' continuing the enthronement theme begun in Psalms 96 with the declaration 'the LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice.'
A psalm for David himself. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: because he hath done wonderful things. His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, and his arm is holy.
The Lord hath made known his salvation: he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.
He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; make melody, rejoice and sing.
Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm:
With long trumpets, and sound of cornet. Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king:
Let the sea be moved and the fullness thereof: the world and they that dwell therein.
The rivers shall clap their hands, the mountains shall rejoice together
At the presence of the Lord: because he cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with equity.