Psalm 96-97

Easy-to-Read Version

96 Sing a new song^[a] to the Lord!
    Let the whole world sing to the Lord!
² Sing to the Lord and praise his name!
    Tell the good news every day about how he saves us!
³ Tell all the nations how wonderful he is!
    Tell people everywhere about the amazing things he does.
⁴ The Lord is great and worthy of praise.
    He is more awesome than any of the “gods.”
⁵ All the “gods” in other nations are nothing but statues,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
⁶ He lives in the presence of glory and honor.
    His Temple is a place of power and beauty.
⁷ Praise the Lord, all people of every nation;
    praise the Lord’s glory and power.
⁸ Give the Lord praise worthy of his glory!
    Come, bring your offerings into his courtyard.
⁹     Worship the Lord in all his holy beauty.
Everyone on earth should tremble before him.
¹⁰     Tell the nations that the Lord is King!
The world stands firm and cannot be moved.
    He will judge all people fairly.
¹¹ Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be happy!
    Let the sea and everything in it shout for joy!
¹² Let the fields and everything in them be happy!
    Let the trees in the forest sing for joy
¹³ when they see the Lord coming!
    He is coming to rule^[b] the world.
He will rule all the nations of the world
    with justice and fairness.

97 The Lord rules, and the earth is happy.
    All the faraway lands are happy.
² Thick, dark clouds surround him.
    Goodness and justice make his kingdom strong.
³ Fire goes before him
    and destroys his enemies.
⁴ His lightning flashes in the sky.
    The earth sees it and trembles with fear.
⁵ The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
    before the Lord of all the earth.
⁶ The skies tell about his goodness,
    and the nations see his glory.

⁷ People worship their idols.
    They brag about their “gods.”
But they will be embarrassed.
    And all their “gods” will bow down before the Lord.
⁸ Zion, listen and be happy!
    Cities of Judah, be glad!
    Rejoice because the Lord’s decisions are fair.
⁹ Lord Most High, you really are the ruler of the earth.
    You are much better than the “gods.”
¹⁰ Hate evil, you who love the Lord.
    He protects his followers and saves them from evil people.
¹¹ Light and happiness shine on those
    who want to do right.
¹² Good people, be happy in the Lord!
    Praise his holy name!