Bible Strands
Psalms 97:8
Zion hears and rejoices, and the towns of Judah exult because of Your judgments, O LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the LORD directly, reporting a moment when Zion and Judah respond to His manifested rule. The speaker describes the covenant community’s immediate reaction to divine revelation.
The words — The Hebrew verb שָׁמְעָה (sha.me.'Ah) means "it hears," paired with תִּשְׂמַח (tis.Mach), "it rejoices," to show Zion’s auditory and emotional response. The phrase מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ (mish.pa.Tei./kha), "your judgments," grounds this reaction in YHWH’s established rulings.
The thread — The pattern of Zion and Judah rejoicing over divine verdicts appears in Psalms 48:11 and is echoed in Revelation 18:20. Zechariah 9:9 links Zion’s rejoicing to the arrival of a righteous King, not to judgment.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that covenant joy follows the clear display of divine authority. Readers must align their response with the reality of God’s rulings rather than personal preference.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord.
Cross-references
- Psalms 48:11 Mount Zion is glad, the daughters of Judah rejoice, on account of Your judgments.
- Revelation 18:20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced for you His judgment against her.
- Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
- Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
- Isaiah 62:11 Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”
- Matthew 21:4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
- Psalms 52:6 The righteous will see and fear; they will mock the evildoer, saying,
- Psalms 58:10 The righteous will rejoice when they see they are avenged; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.
- Isaiah 51:3 For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.
- Zephaniah 3:14 Sing for joy, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!