1 T he Lord rules. Let the earth be full of joy. Let the many islands be glad.

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles and coastlands be glad!

2 C louds and darkness are all around Him. His throne is built upon what is right and fair.

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

3 F ire goes before Him and burns up those who hate Him on every side.

Fire goes before Him and burns up His adversaries round about.

4 H is lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and shakes.

His lightnings illumine the world; the earth sees and trembles.

5 T he mountains melt like a candle before the Lord, before the Lord of the whole earth.

The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 T he heavens tell about how right and good He is. And all the people see His shining-greatness.

The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory.

7 L et all those who serve false gods be ashamed, those who talk about how great their gods are. Worship Him, all you gods!

Let all those be put to shame who serve graven images, who boast in idols. Fall prostrate before Him, all you gods.

8 Z ion heard this and was glad. The people of Judah have been full of joy because of what You decide, O Lord.

Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of Your judgments, O Lord.

9 F or You are the Lord Most High over all the earth. You are honored above all gods.

For You, Lord, are high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.

10 L et those who love the Lord hate what is bad. For He keeps safe the souls of His faithful ones. He takes them away from the hand of the sinful.

O you who love the Lord, hate evil; He preserves the lives of His saints (the children of God), He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 L ight is spread like seed for those who are right and good, and joy for the pure in heart.

Light is sown for the righteous and strewn along their pathway, and joy for the upright in heart.

12 B e glad in the Lord, you who are right and good. Give thanks to His holy name.

Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous (upright and in right standing with God), and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.