Old Testament
Psalms 97:8
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of your judgments, O LORD.
Compare translations
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
What Psalms 97:8 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Zion, which represents the city of Jerusalem and the people of Israel, expresses joy upon hearing about God's judgments. The term 'judgments' refers to God's decisions and actions that reflect His justice and righteousness. The daughters of Judah, symbolizing the women of the region, also rejoice, indicating a communal response to God's authority and fairness. This joy stems from the assurance that God is actively involved in their lives and that His judgments are ultimately for their good. The verse highlights the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and the positive impact of His justice on the community. It serves as a reminder that when we acknowledge God's rule and His righteous decisions, we can find joy and hope, even in challenging circumstances. The collective rejoicing signifies unity among the people, emphasizing that faith in God's justice brings about a sense of peace and happiness.
How to apply Psalms 97:8 to your life
This verse encourages us to find joy in God's justice and decisions in our lives. When we face challenges, we can trust that God is in control and working for our good. Embracing this truth can foster a sense of peace and unity within our communities as we celebrate God's righteousness together.
Curated for this public verse page. Psalms Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Noah's story: Noah Is Born (Genesis 5:28–32)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Noah

Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725043). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nablus and Mount Gerizim, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shechem
Where God promised the land to Abram, and where Joshua led Israel to renew the covenant.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Psalms 97:8
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Psalms 97:8
Related Bible verses
Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Psalms
- Author
- David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and others
- Written
- Around 1000-500 BC
- Genre
- Poetry and worship
- Original Audience
- Worshipers of Israel
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Psalms 97:8 mean?
Psalms 97:8 expresses the joy of Zion and the daughters of Judah upon hearing about God's judgments. It signifies their happiness in recognizing God's justice and authority in their lives.
What is the meaning of 'judgments' in Psalms 97:8?
In Psalms 97:8, 'judgments' refers to God's decisions and actions that reflect His justice and righteousness. It highlights how God's fairness brings joy to His people.
How does Psalms 97:8 relate to community?
Psalms 97:8 highlights the communal response of joy among the people of Judah, indicating that faith in God's justice fosters unity and happiness within the community.
What can we learn from Psalms 97:8?
From Psalms 97:8, we learn to find joy in God's justice and to trust in His control over our lives. It encourages us to celebrate God's righteousness together, promoting peace and unity.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.