Translation: ESV
The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
The proclamation of the LORD's reign fills the whole world — even to the most distant places — with joy.
▸This is an enthronement praise psalm.
This is an enthronement praise psalm. 'The LORD reigns (YHWH malak)' — the same declaration as Psalm 93. In response to his proclamation of rule, 'the earth' rejoices and 'the coastlands' are glad. Land and coastlands, the whole world, rejoice in God's rule.
Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
God transcends mysteriously yet rules according to the moral principles of righteousness and justice.
▸This is the combination of God's mysterious presence — clouds and thick darkness — and his moral attributes — righteousness and justice.
For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
The LORD is most high over all the earth, above all gods, incomparably supreme.
▸This is the summit of Psalm 97.
O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
To truly love God means hating what God hates — evil.
▸If you love God, you must hate evil.