Psalm 97-99

Contemporary English Version

The Lord Brings Justice

¹The Lord is King!
Tell the earth to celebrate
    and all islands to shout.
²Dark clouds surround him,
and his throne is supported
    by justice and fairness.
³Fire leaps from his throne,
    destroying his enemies,
⁴and his lightning is so bright
that the earth sees it
    and trembles.
⁵Mountains melt away like wax
in the presence of the Lord
    of all the earth.

⁶The heavens announce,
“The Lord brings justice!”
    Everyone sees God's glory.
⁷Those who brag about
the useless idols they worship
    are terribly ashamed,
and all the false gods
    bow down to the Lord.

⁸When the people of Zion
    and of the towns of Judah
hear that God brings justice,
    they will celebrate.
⁹The Lord rules the whole earth,
and he is more glorious
    than all the false gods.

¹⁰Love the Lord
    and hate evil!
God protects his loyal people
and rescues them
    from violence.
¹¹If you obey and do right,
a light will show you the way
    and fill you with happiness.
¹²You are the Lord's people!
So celebrate and praise
    the only God.

The Lord Works Miracles

¹Sing a new song to the Lord!
    He has worked miracles,
and with his own powerful arm,
    he has won the victory.
²The Lord has shown the nations
that he has the power to save
    and to bring justice.
³God has been faithful
    in his love for Israel,
and his saving power is seen
    everywhere on earth.

⁴Tell everyone on this earth
to sing happy songs
    in praise of the Lord.
⁵Make music for him on harps.
    Play beautiful melodies!
⁶Sound the trumpets and horns
and celebrate with joyful songs
    for our Lord and King!

⁷Command the ocean to roar
    with all its creatures,
and the earth to shout
    with all its people.
⁸Order the rivers
    to clap their hands,
and all the hills
    to sing together.
⁹Let them worship the Lord!
He is coming to judge
    everyone on the earth,
and he will be honest
    and fair.

Our Lord Is King

¹^(A) Our Lord, you are King!
    You rule from your throne
above the winged creatures,^[a]
    as people tremble
    and the earth shakes.
²You are praised in Zion,
    and you control all nations.
³Only you are God!
    And your power alone,
so great and fearsome,
    is worthy of praise.
⁴You are our mighty King,^[b]
    a lover of fairness,
who sees that justice is done
    everywhere in Israel.
⁵Our Lord and our God,
    we praise you
and kneel down to worship you,
    the God of holiness!

⁶Moses and Aaron were two
    of your priests.
Samuel was also one of those
    who prayed in your name,
and you, our Lord,
    answered their prayers.
⁷^(B) You spoke to them
from a thick cloud,
    and they obeyed your laws.

⁸Our Lord and our God,
you answered their prayers
    and forgave their sins,
but when they did wrong,
    you punished them.
⁹We praise you, Lord God,
    and we worship you
at your sacred mountain.
    Only you are God!