Psalm-97

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago and of today have, and are shamefully disobeying this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ - ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Tehillim-Psalm 97”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction to Psalm 97:

This Psalm is a royal hymn celebrating אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s kingship, justice, and manifest power. It contrasts the cosmic, awe inspiring acts of יְהוָה - the LORD with the impotence of idols, and it invites the faithful to rejoice and worship. The poem moves from cosmic imagery (clouds, fire, lightning, mountains) to ethical consequences (righteousness, shame for idolaters) and communal rejoicing (Zion and Judah).

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Let us now read Tehillim - Psalms Chapter 97: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “יְהוָה - the LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad.
2. Clouds and darkness are round about Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3. A fire goeth before Him, and burneth up His adversaries round about.
4. His lightnings lighted up the world; the earth saw, and trembled.
5. The mountains melted like wax at the presence of יְהוָה - the LORD, at the presence of יְהוָה - the LORD of the whole earth.
6. The heavens declared His righteousness, and all the peoples saw His glory.
7. Ashamed be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of things of nought; bow down to Him, all ye gods.
8. Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced; because of Thy judgments, O יְהוָה - LORD.
9. For Thou, יְהוָה - LORD, art most high above all the earth; Thou art exalted far above all gods.
10. O ye that love יְהוָה - the LORD, hate evil; He preserveth the souls of His saints; He delivered them out of the hand of the wicked.
11. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
12. Be glad in יְהוָה - the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks to His Holy Name”.

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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ Item, with explanations:

Verse 1. “יְהוָה - the LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad”.

Explanation: The opening summons is universal: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s reign calls for global rejoicing. “Isles” signals distant nations, this is not merely Israel’s king but the sovereign of all creation.

Verse 2. “Clouds and darkness are round about Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne”.

Explanation: Majesty is paired with moral order: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s throne rests on righteousness and justice, so divine power is ethical, not arbitrary.

Verse 3. “A fire goeth before Him, and burneth up His adversaries round about”.

Explanation: Fire imagery evokes judgment and purification; enemies are consumed, showing אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s protective and purging action.

Verse 4. “His lightnings lighted up the world; the earth saw, and trembled”.

Explanation: Cosmic phenomena (lightning) reveal אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence; creation responds with awe and trembling, an appropriate reaction to holiness.

Verse 5. “The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth”.

Explanation: Mountains, symbols of permanence, melt, emphasizing that nothing resists אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence; the repetition “presence” intensifies immediacy.

Verse 6. “The heavens declared His righteousness, and all the peoples saw His glory.

Explanation: Creation testifies to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s justice; “all the peoples” indicates a universal revelation, not a private national secret.

Verse 7. “Ashamed be all they that serve graven images... Bow down to Him, all ye gods.
Explanation: Idolaters are exposed as vain; the call for “gods” to bow is a poetic way of saying all false powers are subordinate to the one true God.

Verse 8. “Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced; because of Thy judgments, O יְהוָה - LORD”.

Explanation: The people of אֱלֹהִים respond with joy because Divine judgments vindicate justice and restore order.

Verse 9. “For Thou, יְהוָה - LORD, art most high above all the earth; Thou art exalted far above all gods”.

Explanation: A clear theological claim: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s supremacy is both vertical (most high) and horizontal (above all gods).

Verse 10. “Ye that love יְהוָה - the LORD, hate evil...”

Explanation: Ethical application: love for אֱלֹהִים requires moral discernment,rejecting evil and aligning with Divine character.

Verse 11. “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart”.

Explanation: Metaphor of sowing promises flourishing for the righteous light as blessing and guidance.

Verse 12. “Rejoice in יְהוָה - the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness”.

Explanation: Closing summons: worship, gratitude, and remembrance of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s holiness complete the psalm’s arc from cosmic act to communal praise.

My Closing message:

Psalm 97 invites us to see אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s rule in both cosmic power and moral justice. Rejoicing and ethical living are twin responses: celebrate אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s majesty, and let that celebration shape how you live, rejecting idols, loving justice, and cultivating gladness for the upright.

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Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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