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Psalm 97 · a question people ask

Why does the psalm put darkness around the LORD?

In the text

The psalm says it and doesn't explain it: "Clouds and darkness are around him" (97:2). Its word for darkness is arafel, which Brown-Driver-Briggs gives as "cloud, heavy cloud" (tap darkness), the word of "Moses came near to the thick darkness where God was" (Exodus 20:21). Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness" (1 Kings 8:12). The same psalm also says, "His lightning lights up the world" (97:4) and "Light is sown for the righteous" (97:11). And the New Testament says "that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). These verses stand side by side in Scripture. Psalm 97 puts the darkness around him (97:2), and in the same verse says what his throne rests on: "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne" (97:2). These notes don't choose how the verses fit together.

The verses

“Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.”
Psalm 97:2 · World English Bible
“His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.”
Psalm 97:4 · World English Bible
“Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.”
Psalm 97:11 · World English Bible
“The people stayed at a distance, and Moses came near to the thick darkness where God was.”
Exodus 20:21 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 97

Psalm 97: Light is sown

Psalm 97's clouds, thick darkness, fire and lightning are the same Hebrew words the Law uses of the day at the mountain (Exodus 19:16, Deuteronomy 4:11). And near its end the psalm doesn't say light shines on the righteous: it says light is sown for them, like seed (97:11).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions