Our Father Reigns
97 1 Our Father reigns! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 3 Fire goes before him and burns up his foes on every side. 4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. 5 The mountains melt like wax before our Father, before the Sovereign of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who serve carved images are put to shame, those who boast about worthless idols; worship him, all you gods! a a v7 Hebrews 1:6 takes up this call — "Let all God's angels worship him" — and applies it to Jesus, the Son our Father brings into the world.
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments, our Father. b b v8 'Daughters of Judah' is a Hebrew idiom for the towns and villages surrounding Judah. 9 For you, our Father, are Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
10 You who love our Father, hate evil! He guards the lives of his faithful ones; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in our Father, you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name.