Mazmur 97:8-12

97:8 Zion hears and rejoices,

the towns ¹  of Judah are happy,

because of your judgments, O Lord.

97:9 For you, O Lord, are the sovereign king ²  over the whole earth;

you are elevated high above all gods.

97:10 You who love the Lord, hate evil!

He protects ³  the lives of his faithful followers;

he delivers them from the power ⁴  of the wicked.

97:11 The godly bask in the light;

the morally upright experience joy. ⁵ 

97:12 You godly ones, rejoice in the Lord!

Give thanks to his holy name. ⁶ 

[97:8]  ¹ tn Heb “daughters.” The term “daughters” refers to the cities of Judah surrounding Zion (see Ps 48:11 and H. Haag, TDOT 2:336).

[97:9]  ² tn Traditionally “Most High.”

[97:10]  ³ tn The participle may be verbal, though it might also be understood as substantival and appositional to “the Lord.” In this case one could translate, “Hate evil, you who love the Lord, the one who protects the lives…and delivers them.”

[97:10]  ⁴ tn Heb “hand.”

[97:11]  ⁵ tn Heb “Light is planted for the godly, and for the upright of heart joy.” The translation assumes an emendation of זָרַע (zara’, “planted”) to זָרַח (zara’, “shines”) which collocates more naturally with “light.” “Light” here symbolizes the joy (note the following line) that accompanies deliverance and the outpouring of divine favor.

[97:12]  ⁶ tn Heb “to his holy remembrance.” The Hebrew noun זָכַר (zakhar, “remembrance”) here refers to the name of the Lord as invoked in liturgy and praise. Cf. Pss 6:5; 30:4. The Lord’s “name” is “holy” in the sense that it is a reminder of his uniqueness and greatness.