Psalms 97:8

ยถ Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.

Zion {H6726} heard {H8085}, and was glad {H8055}; and the daughters {H1323} of Judah {H3063} rejoiced {H1523} because of thy judgments {H4941}, O LORD {H3068}.

Tziyon hears and is glad, ADONAI; the daughters of Y'hudah rejoice at your rulings.

Zion hears and rejoices, and the towns of Judah exult because of Your judgments, O LORD.

Zion heard and was glad, And the daughters of Judah rejoiced, Because of thy judgments, O Jehovah.

Commentary

Psalm 97:8 expresses the joyful response of God's people to His righteous rule and divine judgments. It highlights a profound truth: for those who trust in the Lord, His acts of justice and sovereignty are not causes for fear, but for celebration and gladness.

Context

This verse is part of Psalm 97, a psalm that jubilantly proclaims the Lord's reign. The preceding verses of Psalm 97 establish the Lord's reign, describing His awesome power, the elements of nature bowing before Him, and the shame of those who worship idols. In this context, God's "judgments" (or ordinances/acts of justice) are seen as the manifestation of His righteous governance over the earth, bringing order and light into a world often darkened by unrighteousness.

Key Themes

  • Joy in Divine Justice: The core message is the rejoicing of God's people ("Zion," "daughters of Judah") over the Lord's judgments. This joy stems from the understanding that God's judgments are not arbitrary but are expressions of His perfect righteousness and justice. For those who love Him, His justice means deliverance from oppression and the vindication of His truth.
  • God's Sovereignty and Reign: The verse implicitly reinforces the theme of God's absolute control. His judgments demonstrate that He is actively involved in the affairs of the world, upholding righteousness and dealing with wickedness. This active reign brings comfort and security to His faithful.
  • Zion as God's People: Zion, often symbolic of God's dwelling place and His people (the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah), represents the community of believers who recognize and celebrate God's just character. Their gladness is a communal affirmation of His holy nature.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "judgments" is mishpatim (ืžึดืฉืึฐืคึผึธื˜ึดื™ื), which carries a broader meaning than just punitive sentencing. It refers to God's righteous decrees, ordinances, and acts of justice. In this context, it encompasses all of God's righteous dealings and interventions in the world, which bring about His desired order and righteousness.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 97:8 serves as a powerful reminder to find joy and hope in God's sovereign rule. In a world often marked by injustice and turmoil, this verse encourages us to trust that the Lord is on His throne, actively working out His purposes. His judgments are ultimately for the good of His creation and the triumph of His kingdom. This resonates with the call to rejoice in the Lord always, knowing that His righteousness will ultimately prevail and bring about true peace and justice. It encourages us to align our hearts with God's justice, celebrating when His truth is vindicated and His purposes are fulfilled.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 48:11

    Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.

  • Matthew 21:4

    All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

  • Matthew 21:9

    And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

  • Revelation 18:20

    Rejoice over her, [thou] heaven, and [ye] holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

  • Isaiah 62:11

    Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward [is] with him, and his work before him.

  • Zechariah 9:9

    ยถ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he [is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

  • Revelation 19:1

    ยถ And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
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