Christian prayer
Psalm 97
Psalm 97 in its original text and with its meaning, celebrating God's reign, justice and holiness.
- 12 verses
- Under a minute to recite
- From the Bible
Show
- 1
יְהוָ֣ה מָ֭לָךְ תָּגֵ֣ל הָאָ֑רֶץ יִ֝שְׂמְח֗וּ אִיִּ֥ים רַבִּֽים׃
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
- 2
עָנָ֣ן וַעֲרָפֶ֣ל סְבִיבָ֑יו צֶ֥דֶק וּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט מְכ֣וֹן כִּסְאֽוֹ׃
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
- 3
אֵ֭שׁ לְפָנָ֣יו תֵּלֵ֑ךְ וּתְלַהֵ֖ט סָבִ֣יב צָרָֽיו׃
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
- 4
הֵאִ֣ירוּ בְרָקָ֣יו תֵּבֵ֑ל רָאֲתָ֖ה וַתָּחֵ֣ל הָאָֽרֶץ׃
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
- 5
הָרִ֗ים כַּדּוֹנַ֗ג נָ֭מַסּוּ מִלִּפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה מִ֝לִּפְנֵ֗י אֲד֣וֹן כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
- 6
הִגִּ֣ידוּ הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם צִדְק֑וֹ וְרָא֖וּ כָל־הָעַמִּ֣ים כְּבוֹדֽוֹ׃
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
- 7
יֵבֹ֤שׁוּ ׀ כָּל־עֹ֬בְדֵי פֶ֗סֶל הַמִּֽתְהַלְלִ֥ים בָּאֱלִילִ֑ים הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ־ל֝וֹ כָּל־אֱלֹהִֽים׃
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
- 8
שָׁמְעָ֬ה וַתִּשְׂמַ֨ח ׀ צִיּ֗וֹן וַ֭תָּגֵלְנָה בְּנ֣וֹת יְהוּדָ֑ה לְמַ֖עַן מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ יְהוָֽה׃
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
- 9
כִּֽי־אַתָּ֤ה יְהוָ֗ה עֶלְי֥וֹן עַל־כָּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ מְאֹ֥ד נַ֝עֲלֵ֗יתָ עַל־כָּל־אֱלֹהִֽים׃
For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
- 10
אֹהֲבֵ֥י יְהוָ֗ה שִׂנְא֫וּ רָ֥ע שֹׁ֭מֵר נַפְשׁ֣וֹת חֲסִידָ֑יו מִיַּ֥ד רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יַצִּילֵֽם׃
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
- 11
א֭וֹר זָרֻ֣עַ לַצַּדִּ֑יק וּֽלְיִשְׁרֵי־לֵ֥ב שִׂמְחָֽה׃
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
- 12
שִׂמְח֣וּ צַ֭דִּיקִים בַּֽיהוָ֑ה וְ֝הוֹד֗וּ לְזֵ֣כֶר קָדְשֽׁוֹ׃
Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here
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When it is prayed
Many Christians recite Psalm 97 during worship or personal prayer to praise God as ruler of all the earth. It can also be prayed when reflecting on justice, turning away from evil or finding joy in God's holiness. Its use in church services varies among Christian traditions.
Where it comes from
Psalm 97 comes from the Bible's Book of Psalms, a collection of prayers and songs rooted in ancient Israel's worship. Originally composed in Hebrew, it proclaims God's kingship through images of clouds, fire and light. The psalm does not name its author.
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Related prayers and texts
- ChristianPsalm 91A biblical psalm of trust in God’s shelter and protection amid danger.
- ChristianPsalm 23A biblical psalm of trust in God, pictured as a caring shepherd and generous host.
- ChristianPsalm 121A biblical psalm of trust in God as the keeper of those who look to him for help.
- ChristianPsalm 35A biblical psalm asking God for protection, justice and deliverance from enemies.
Questions about Psalm 97
How many verses does Psalm 97 have?
Psalm 97 has 12 verses.
What is Psalm 97 about?
It celebrates God's reign over the whole earth and presents righteousness and justice as the foundation of his throne. It calls the faithful to reject evil and rejoice in God.
Who wrote Psalm 97?
Its author is not named in the psalm, and no individual author is securely known.
When do Christians pray Psalm 97?
Many Christians pray it in church worship or private devotion, especially as an expression of praise. It is also suited to reflection on God's holiness and justice.
What language was Psalm 97 originally written in?
Psalm 97 was originally written in Hebrew, the language of most of the biblical Book of Psalms.
