Psalm 97 from the Scottish Version

1 God reigneth, let the earth be glad,

          and isles rejoice each one.
2    Dark clouds him compass; and in right
          with judgment dwells his throne.
3    Fire goes before him, and his foes
          it burns up round about:
4    his lightnings lighten did the world;
          earth saw, and shook throughout.

5    Hills at the presence of the Lord,
          like wax, did melt away;
     ev'n at the presence of the Lord
          of all the earth, I say.
6    The heav'ns declare his righteousness,
          all men his glory see.
7    All who serve graven images,
          confounded let them be.

     Who do of idols boast themselves,
          let shame upon them fall:
     ye that are call-ed gods, see that
          ye do him worship all.
8    Sion did hear, and joyful was,
          glad Judah's daughters were;
     they much rejoic'd, O Lord, because
          thy judgments did appear.

9    For thou, O Lord, art high above
          all things on earth that are;
     above all other gods thou art
          exalted very far.
10    Hate ill, all ye that love the Lord:
          his saints' souls keepeth he;
     and from the hands of wicked men
          he sets them safe and free.

11   For all those that be righteous
          sown is a joyful light,
     and gladness sown is for all those
          that are in heart upright.
12   Ye righteous, in the Lord rejoice;
          express your thankfulness,
     when ye into your memory
          do call his holiness.

Tune: There is a Fountain CMD

"This psalm is of the same strain with the preceding; and contains, 

(1.) Solemn calls to the Gentile nations to rejoice at the equity and extent of Jesus' new-testament kingdom, and at the destruction of hardened Jews and heathen idolaters, occasioned by the establishment thereof, ver. 1-7. 

(2.) Representations of the pure and holy joy of the saints, on account of Jesus' highness, and the glory of God manifested therein, and of the care taken for their safety and comfort, ver. 8-12.


Join the choir, O my soul.
Sing praises to thy King; sing praises with understanding."--John Brown of Haddington