Psalm 97 proclaims, “The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad.” Clouds, fire and lightning surround his throne, the idols are put to shame, and “Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart.” The Church sings it at the Christmas Mass at Dawn and on the Transfiguration. In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 96. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 97 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
For the same David, when his land was restored again to him. The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him: justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.
A fire shall go before him, and shall burn his enemies round about.
His lightnings have shone forth to the world: the earth saw and trembled.
The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord: at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens declared his justice: and all people saw his glory.
Let them be all confounded that adore graven things, and that glory in their idols. Adore him, all you his angels:
Sion heard, and was glad. And the daughters of Juda rejoiced, because of thy judgments, O Lord.
For thou art the most high Lord over all the earth: thou art exalted exceedingly above all gods.
You that love the Lord, hate evil: the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints, he will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner.
Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart.
Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: and give praise to the remembrance of his holiness.
Psalm 97 or Psalm 96?
The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 96 is Psalm 97 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Dominus regnavit, exsultet terra. See how many psalms are there?
What the psalm means
- Joy at God’s reign: the earth and the islands, to the ends of the world, rejoice.
- Majesty and mystery: “Clouds and darkness are round about him: justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.”
- The idols shamed: false gods have no power before the Lord.
- Light for the just: “Light is risen to the just,” words the Church sings at dawn on Christmas Day.
- Hate evil, rejoice in the Lord: “You that love the Lord, hate evil.”
How the Church uses Psalm 97
- At the Christmas Mass at Dawn: “A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.” See Christmas Mass.
- On the Transfiguration (August 6): “The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.” See the Transfiguration.
- On the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year C).
A prayer with Psalm 97
Written for this page:
The Lord is King: let the earth rejoice, let the islands be glad.
Your glory shines like fire and lightning over all creation.
Let your light rise on me, and joy fill my heart.
Help me to love you and to hate every evil. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Psalm 97 read at Christmas?
Because of the verse “Light is risen to the just,” sung at the Mass at Dawn as the light of Christ’s birth.
What is Psalm 97 about?
God’s reign over all the earth, revealed in glory, bringing light and joy to the just.
More psalms and prayers
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 96 (97), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.