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Psalm 97:1

The LORD reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!

1The LORD reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!
2Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.
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Psalm 97:2 →
Notice

The multitude of islands gives this gladness a vast reach: YHWH’s reign is cause for rejoicing across the earth, beyond any familiar shore.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What changes when you read “The LORD reigns!” as the reason for the gladness that follows?

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Which place comes to mind when you read “the multitude of islands,” and what would you write about it?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 96:10–11Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” The world is also established. It can’t be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.Both proclaim that the LORD reigns, with Psalm 96 directing that proclamation among the nations and Psalm 97 summoning the earth to rejoice.
1 Chronicles 29:11Yours, LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours. Yours is the …Both declare the LORD’s kingship over the earth; Chronicles praises his greatness, while the psalm summons gladness at his reign.
Psalm 2:11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.Both summon rejoicing before the LORD; Psalm 2 joins that rejoicing with trembling, while Psalm 97 names his reign as its reason.
Psalm 93:1The LORD reigns! He is clothed with majesty! The LORD is armed with strength. The world also is established. It can’t be moved.Both begin with “The LORD reigns!”; Psalm 93 describes his majesty and strength, while Psalm 97 summons the earth to gladness.
Psalm 99:1The LORD reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned among the cherubim. Let the earth be moved.Both announce “The LORD reigns!” and address the earth, though Psalm 97 summons gladness and Psalm 99 trembling.
Revelation 19:6I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, “Hallelujah! For the …Both celebrate God’s reign: Psalm 97 summons the earth to rejoice, and Revelation records a great multitude proclaiming his rule.
Colossians 1:13who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love,Both speak of divine rule, though Colossians describes deliverance into the Son’s Kingdom and Psalm 97 summons joy at the LORD’s reign.
1 Chronicles 16:31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”Both join the proclamation “The LORD reigns!” with the summons “Let the earth rejoice!”
Revelation 11:17saying: “We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and reigned.Both make God’s reign a reason for praise: Psalm 97 summons rejoicing, while Revelation records thanks for his great power and rule.
Isaiah 49:13Sing, heavens, and be joyful, earth! Break out into singing, mountains! For the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted.Both summon the earth to joy because of the LORD: Psalm 97 celebrates his reign, while Isaiah announces his comfort and compassion.
Isaiah 24:14–16These shall lift up their voice. They will shout for the majesty of the LORD. They cry aloud from the sea.Both describe praise reaching beyond the mainland: Psalm 97 names islands, while Isaiah describes voices crying aloud from the sea.
Mark 11:10Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”Both connect kingship with praise, though Mark names David’s coming kingdom and Psalm 97 proclaims the LORD’s reign over the earth.
Where this verse fits

Praise and worship. gratitude. fear for the future.

What the Bible says about worship →What the Bible says about gratitude →What the Bible says about fear →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Read Psalm 97:1 aloud with a world map open

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Encouragement

Your own corner of the earth belongs within this summons to gladness. The reason stretches beyond what happens there today: YHWH reigns over the whole earth.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 97:1. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 97 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).