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Psalm 97:2

Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

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.
4His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.
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← Psalm 97:1Psalm 97:3 →
Notice

Clouds and darkness make God's reign fearsome, while the throne's foundation in righteousness and justice gives grounds for trust in his rule.

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

How does the darkness surrounding God affect your reading of the righteousness beneath his throne?

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Where do you long to see the justice that this verse names as foundational to God's rule?

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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 89:14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.Both passages name righteousness and justice as the foundation of God's throne.
1 Kings 8:12Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.Both texts associate darkness with God's presence, with Solomon speaking of his dwelling in thick darkness.
Revelation 1:7Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, …Clouds surround God in the psalm and accompany the coming figure in Revelation, where every eye will see him.
Exodus 19:9The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Moses told …Both passages describe clouds associated with God's presence; Exodus adds God's purpose that the people hear him speak with Moses.
Romans 11:33Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!Darkness surrounds God in the psalm; Romans speaks of his judgments and ways as beyond human searching.
Psalm 18:11He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.Both psalms picture God surrounded by darkness and clouds, with Psalm 18 describing them as his hiding place.
Job 23:14For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.The shared thread is God's authority: Job speaks of what he appoints, while the psalm describes his throne.
Proverbs 16:12It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.Both passages connect a throne's foundation with righteousness, with Proverbs applying that standard to the conduct of kings.
Exodus 20:21The people stayed at a distance, and Moses came near to the thick darkness where God was.Darkness surrounds God in the psalm, and Moses approaches the thick darkness where God is in Exodus.
Hebrews 1:8–9But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.Both texts describe divine kingship marked by righteousness, with Hebrews addressing the Son and naming the uprightness of his kingdom.
2 Samuel 22:10He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet.Both passages portray God's presence with thick darkness, surrounding him in the psalm and beneath his feet in Samuel.
Job 26:9He encloses the face of his throne, and spreads his cloud on it.Both passages bring together God's throne and surrounding cloud, with Job describing a cloud spread over the throne.
Where this verse fits

Praise and worship. injustice and anger. doubt.

What the Bible says about worship →What the Bible says about anger →What the Bible says about doubt →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Praise God for the justice of his rule

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Encouragement

You may have questions about God's rule that remain unanswered. The darkness around him does not change what supports his throne: righteousness and justice.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 97:2. 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).