Psalms 97:1–2
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God's throne
Study it word by word1YHWH reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad.
2Cloud and thick cloud surround him; righteousness and justice are the base of his throne.
In its context
…
3Fire goes before him, and sets ablaze his adversaries all around.
4His lightnings lit up the world; the earth saw and trembled.
Its words in the original
- יְהוָהyehva· YHWH
The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.
- מָלָךְmalach· reign
Reign, be king; in the causative form, make someone king.
- תָּגֵלtagel· rejoice
To rejoice: to be very glad, to leap for joy.
- אָרֶץarets· earth, land
The earth, in two senses: the whole world in contrast with the heavens, or a particular country or region ("the land of Egypt").
- יִשְׂמְחוּyismchu· rejoice
Rejoice, be glad; make glad.
- אִיִּיםiyim· coast, island
Coast, island: the lands along the sea.
- רַבִּיםrabim· many, great
Many, much, abundant, great; also "elder" or "chief".
- עָנָןanan· cloud
Cloud.
- עֲרָפֶלarafel· thick darkness
Thick, dark cloud; deep darkness.
- סְבִיבָיsevivay· around
Around, on every side; the surroundings.
- צֶדֶקtsedek· righteousness, what is right
Righteousness: what is right, what is as it should be; just (weights, judgment).
- מִשְׁפָּטmishpat· justice, judgment
What is right and the decision that establishes it: the judgment of a judge, someone's right, a rule or ordinance, a custom. "Do righteousness and justice" is to treat each one as is due.
- מְכוֹןmechon· fixed place
Fixed place, dwelling place; foundation.
- כִּסְאkis· throne
Throne: the king's seat, sign of his authority.