Psalms 97:2
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
Original Language Analysis
עָנָ֣ן
Clouds
H6051
עָנָ֣ן
Clouds
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
1 of 7
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
סְבִיבָ֑יו
are round about
H5439
סְבִיבָ֑יו
are round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
3 of 7
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
צֶ֥דֶק
him righteousness
H6664
צֶ֥דֶק
him righteousness
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
4 of 7
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
וּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט
and judgment
H4941
וּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט
and judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
Cross References
Psalms 89:14Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.Exodus 19:9And 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 16:12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.Psalms 99:4The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.Romans 11:33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!Genesis 18:25That 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?
Historical Context
The Sinai theophany where God descended in cloud and darkness provided Israel with a foundational experience of God's majestic otherness combined with His covenant faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when God's ways seem shrouded in mystery and you cannot understand His purposes?
- What does it mean practically that righteousness and justice are the foundation of God's reign?
Analysis & Commentary
The imagery of clouds and darkness surrounding God echoes Exodus 19-20 (Sinai theophany) and emphasizes divine mystery and transcendence. Yet this obscurity doesn't indicate capriciousness—rather, 'righteousness and judgment' (tsedeq u-mishpat) are His throne's foundation. This paradox teaches that while God's ways may be beyond our comprehension, His character is absolutely trustworthy. Reformed theology emphasizes both God's incomprehensibility (we cannot fully know Him) and His revelation (He has made Himself known truly, if not exhaustively).