Psalms 97:2

Clouds and darkness [are] round about him: righteousness and judgment [are] the habitation of his throne.

Clouds {H6051} and darkness {H6205} are round about {H5439} him: righteousness {H6664} and judgment {H4941} are the habitation {H4349} of his throne {H3678}.

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

Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.

Clouds and darkness are round about him: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Commentary

Psalms 97:2 paints a vivid picture of God's majestic and just reign, emphasizing both the mystery and the moral foundation of His sovereignty. It assures believers that despite appearances, God's rule is always righteous and perfectly ordered.

Context

This verse is part of Psalm 97, which is an enthronement psalm, celebrating the Lord's universal reign. It opens with the declaration "The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice" (Psalm 97:1). The psalm describes God's coming in power and glory, impacting the earth, causing mountains to melt, and revealing His righteousness. Verse 2 specifically focuses on the nature of God's immediate presence and the unshakeable principles of His dominion.

Key Themes

  • God's Veiled Majesty and Incomprehensibility: The imagery of "clouds and darkness" speaks to the ineffable and awe-inspiring nature of God's presence. Just as He appeared on Mount Sinai in a thick cloud, it signifies His awesome power and the reverence due to Him. It suggests that while God is present and active, His full glory and purposes are often beyond human comprehension, veiled by His transcendence. This mystery evokes both fear and wonder.
  • The Foundation of God's Throne: Righteousness and Judgment: Conversely, "righteousness and judgment" are declared to be the very "habitation of his throne." This means God's rule is not arbitrary or capricious but is firmly established on perfect moral rectitude and divine justice. Every act of God, whether perceived or not, is rooted in His unwavering commitment to what is right and fair. This provides immense comfort, knowing that the Lord's throne is established in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "clouds" (anan) and "darkness" (araphel) often denote a thick, impenetrable obscurity, frequently associated with God's presence in profound revelation or judgment, as seen at Sinai (Exodus 20:21). "Righteousness" (tsedeq) implies moral integrity, justice, and conformity to God's holy standard. "Judgment" (mishpat) refers to the exercise of justice, both in discerning right from wrong and in executing just decisions. Together, they form the immutable principles of God's governance.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound assurance to believers. Even when life's circumstances seem "clouded" or "dark" and God's ways are inscrutable, we can rest in the absolute certainty that His throne is founded on perfect righteousness and judgment. We can trust that He always acts justly and righteously, even when we don't fully understand His actions. This calls us to live righteously ourselves, reflecting the character of our sovereign King, and to trust in His divine plan, knowing it is always rooted in justice and truth.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 89:14 (9 votes)

    Justice and judgment [are] the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

  • Exodus 19:9 (7 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.

  • Proverbs 16:12 (5 votes)

    ¶ [It is] an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

  • Hebrews 1:8 (5 votes)

    But unto the Son [he saith], Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness [is] the sceptre of thy kingdom.

  • Hebrews 1:9 (5 votes)

    Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, [even] thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

  • Psalms 99:4 (4 votes)

    The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.

  • Genesis 18:25 (4 votes)

    That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?