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Psalms 97:2

2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Psalms 97:2 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
English Standard Version (ESV)
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 Dark clouds surround him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
The Message Bible (MSG)
2 Bright clouds and storm clouds circle 'round him; Right and justice anchor his rule.
American Standard Version (ASV)
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
2 Clouds and darkness surround him. Righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him. His rule is built on what is right and fair.

Psalms 97:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 97:2

Clouds and darkness are round about him
Either as a garment; so Apollinarius paraphrases it,

``near is the King clothed with a cloud and tempest;''

and it is usual with the Heathens to represent their deities as surrounded or clothed with a cloud F19: here the allusion is to the tabernacle and temple, when reared up and dedicated, ( Exodus 40:34 ) ( 1 Kings 8:10-12 ) and to other appearances of God, or Christ, in a cloud, ( Exodus 19:9 Exodus 19:16 ) ( Matthew 17:5 ) , it may denote the obscurity of his divine nature at his first coming; he appearing in the form of a servant, and in the likeness of sinful flesh, so that few discerned his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father; as also the darkness and blindness of the Jews concerning him, who could not perceive him to be the Messiah; notwithstanding all the characters of him; clouds and darkness were about him to them; as they were, in a literal sense, when he hung on the cross; the sun withdrew and hid itself, and darkness was upon the face of the earth for three hours; Christ was enveloped in it; and a greater darkness surrounded his soul when his divine Father hid his face from him: dark providences attended the first setting up of his kingdom, and the ministration of his Gospel in the world; the apostles, the first preachers of it, were persecuted by their own countrymen the Jews; the whole Gentile world was against them; the Roman empire, emperors, and governors of provinces, opposed them; wherever there was an open door, there were many adversaries, so that things looked very unpromising: nevertheless these clouds were dissipated, and the difficulties got over; though this has sometimes been the case since, and will be again, ere the kingdom of Christ is in all its glory; he now sits enthroned in heaven, surrounded with clouds and darkness, and unseen to us; whose being and perfections are inscrutable to us, his providences unsearchable, and his ways past finding out; and when he comes a second time, it will be at midnight, and in the clouds of heaven:

righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne;
the seat, basis, and support of it; he sits on a throne doing right, and by it his throne is established; (See Gill on Psalms 89:14).


FOOTNOTES:

F19 "Et Venus aethereos inter dea candida nimbos", Virgil. Aeneid. 8. "Venus circumdata nimbo", ib. Aeneid. 12. "Nube candentes humeros amictus augur Apollo", Horat. Carmin. l. 1. Ode 2. so Homer. Il. 5. v. 186.

Psalms 97:2 In-Context

1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Job 22:14
  • 2. S Exodus 19:9; Psalms 18:11
  • 3. Psalms 89:14
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