Amidora

Amidora · Library

Psalm 97

Ashkenaz · Shabbat · Kabbalat Shabbat · Psalm 97

Nusach
Ashkenaz
Edition
Translation based on the Metsudah linear siddur, by Avrohom Davis, 1981

Psalm 97

When Adonoy is [universally accepted as] King the earth will exult; the multitudes of islands will rejoice. Clouds and dense darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundations of His throne. Fire will go before Him to surround and burn His antagonists. His lightning illuminates the inhabited world, the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before Adonoy, before the Master of all the earth. The heavens will declare His righteousness and all the peoples will behold His glory. Humiliated will be all who serve graven images, who are proud of idols; before Him all gods will bow. Zion will hear and rejoice, and the daughters [cities] of Judah will exult because of Your judgments, Adonoy. For You, Adonoy, are most high over all the earth; You are greatly exalted above all gods. Lovers of Adonoy, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His pious ones; from the hand of the wicked, He saves them. Light is sown for the righteous, and for the upright in heart—joy. Rejoice, righteous ones, in Adonoy, and give thanks to His holy Name.

Our Sages say that this will occur after the annihilation of Amalek. At that time God’s Name and His throne will be complete. See Exodus 10.

Those who live on these islands will rejoice.—Etz Yosef

These clouds and darkness will envelop and destroy the wicked, after which God’s justice and righteousness will be apparent. Others say that this is an allusion to the mystery of God’s ways, but that His kingdom is founded on righteousness.—Radak

God will surround them with fire so there will be no escape for them.—Radak

The future revelation of God’s kingdom is described in terms similar to those of the revelation at Mount Sinai.

‘Mountains’ refers to the kings of the world—Etz Yosef

Etz Yosef understands ‘gods’ to refer to the sun, moon, stars, etc.

Light is sown for the righteous in this world but the harvest of that light awaits the future world.—Radak Others say that the light may be hidden like the seed in the earth, but it is sure to spring forth.

Shevet Musar says that the righteous ones will not merely rejoice in their personal salvation and deliverance but they will actually rejoice in God, Whose kingdom will be revealed and complete.

Lit: His holy mention.

Where it comes in the siddur

Texts and sources

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