The Meaning of Psalms 97:2 Explained

Psalms 97:2

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

YLT: Cloud and darkness are round about Him, Righteousness and judgment the basis of His throne.

Darby: Clouds and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the foundation of his throne.

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Psalms 97:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 97:1-12 - "be Glad In The Lord"
The keynote here is the reign of God. To the wicked, it spells misery; to the believer, it is the inauguration of harmony and joy. It is as though herald-angels step from isle to isle, from mountain peak to mountain peak, with the glad tidings of great joy. It is not always easy to trace its advent. Clouds and darkness are around him. The eye of sense cannot penetrate the black enclosing pall, but faith is ever certain that righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.
Sometimes God comes in fire, Psalms 97:3, as at Sinai, or on the day of Pentecost, which took place on the anniversary of the giving of the Law. Days come like that on which Jerusalem fell, or when the Turks took Constantinople, or when Napoleon was shattered at Waterloo-then hills melt like wax. But through all dark and terrible dispensations the Kingdom is secretly growing, the Lord is being exalted, and light is being sown for His people, Psalms 97:11. So, believer, your tears and fightings, as they pass, are absorbing heaven's love and power, which they will hold in reserve though buried for long in the dark. Days are at hand of unspeakable gladness. Be of good cheer. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 97

1  The majesty of God's kingdom
7  The church rejoices at God's judgments upon idolaters
10  An exhortation to godliness and gladness

What do the individual words in Psalms 97:2 mean?

Clouds and darkness surround Him Righteousness and justice [are] the foundation of His throne
עָנָ֣ן וַעֲרָפֶ֣ל סְבִיבָ֑יו צֶ֥דֶק וּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט מְכ֣וֹן כִּסְאֽוֹ

עָנָ֣ן  Clouds 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עָנָן  
Sense: cloud, cloudy, cloud-mass.
וַעֲרָפֶ֣ל  and  darkness 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֲרָפֶל  
Sense: cloud, heavy or dark cloud, darkness, gross darkness, thick darkness.
סְבִיבָ֑יו  surround  Him 
Parse: Adverb, third person masculine singular
Root: מוּסָב 
Sense: places round about, circuit, round about adv.
צֶ֥דֶק  Righteousness 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: צֶדֶק  
Sense: justice, rightness, righteousness.
וּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט  and  justice  [are] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁפָּט  
Sense: judgment, justice, ordinance.
מְכ֣וֹן  the  foundation 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מָכֹון  
Sense: fixed or established place, foundation.
כִּסְאֽוֹ  of  His  throne 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: כִּסֵּא 
Sense: seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool.