Psalm 97:11
New International Version
Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.

New Living Translation
Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.

English Standard Version
Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.

Berean Standard Bible
Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart.

King James Bible
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

New King James Version
Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.

New American Standard Bible
Light is sown like seed for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.

NASB 1995
Light is sown like seed for the righteous And gladness for the upright in heart.

NASB 1977
Light is sown like seed for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
Light is sown for the righteous And gladness for the upright in heart.

Amplified Bible
Light is sown [like seed] for the righteous and illuminates their path, And [irrepressible] joy [is spread] for the upright in heart [who delight in His favor and protection].

Christian Standard Bible
Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart.

American Standard Version
Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.

Contemporary English Version
If you obey and do right, a light will show you the way and fill you with happiness.

English Revised Version
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Light dawns for righteous people and joy for those whose motives are decent.

Good News Translation
Light shines on the righteous, and gladness on the good.

International Standard Version
Light shines on the righteous; gladness on the morally upright.

Majority Standard Bible
Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart.

NET Bible
The godly bask in the light; the morally upright experience joy.

New Heart English Bible
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

World English Bible
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Light [is] sown for the righteous, "" And joy for the upright of heart.

Young's Literal Translation
Light is sown for the righteous, And for the upright of heart -- joy.

Smith's Literal Translation
Light was sown for the just one, and gladness for the upright of heart.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The light has risen for the just, and joy for the upright of heart.

New American Bible
Light dawns for the just, and gladness for the honest of heart.

New Revised Standard Version
Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Light shone for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because light shines to the righteous ones, and joy to the upright in heart.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Light is sprung up for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Let the Earth Rejoice
10Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart. 12Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones, and praise His holy name.…

Cross References
Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

Isaiah 58:8
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Isaiah 30:26
The light of the moon will be as bright as the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter—like the light of seven days—on the day that the LORD binds up the brokenness of His people and heals the wounds He has inflicted.

Malachi 4:2
“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.

Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

Isaiah 60:19-20
No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor. / Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not wane; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will cease.

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 45:8
Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open up that salvation may sprout and righteousness spring up with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

Isaiah 32:17
The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Ephesians 5:8-9
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, / for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.

1 John 1:5-7
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. / If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

light

Psalm 18:28
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

Psalm 112:4
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Esther 8:16
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

sown

Psalm 126:5,6
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy…

Galatians 6:8
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

James 5:7-11
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain…

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Dawns Gladness Heart Joy Light Righteous Righteousness Seed Shed Shining Sown Upright
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














Light
The Hebrew word for "light" in this context is "אוֹר" (or), which often symbolizes purity, truth, and divine revelation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, light was a powerful metaphor for life and guidance, contrasting with darkness, which represented chaos and evil. Biblically, light is frequently associated with God's presence and His righteous path. In John 8:12, Jesus declares Himself as the "light of the world," reinforcing the idea that divine light leads to spiritual enlightenment and salvation. For the righteous, light signifies the clarity and hope that comes from living in accordance with God's will.

is sown
The phrase "is sown" uses the Hebrew verb "זָרַע" (zara), which means to scatter seed. This agricultural metaphor suggests that light, or divine truth and righteousness, is planted in the lives of the faithful, much like a farmer sows seeds in the soil. The imagery implies a process of growth and eventual harvest, indicating that the righteous will experience an increase in spiritual understanding and blessings over time. This sowing of light is a divine act, suggesting that God actively works to cultivate righteousness in His people.

for the righteous
The term "righteous" comes from the Hebrew word "צַדִּיק" (tzaddik), referring to those who live in accordance with God's laws and commandments. In the biblical context, righteousness is not merely about moral behavior but encompasses a covenantal relationship with God. The righteous are those who seek to align their lives with God's will, and as a result, they are recipients of His favor and guidance. This phrase assures believers that their commitment to righteousness will be rewarded with divine illumination and understanding.

and joy
The Hebrew word for "joy" is "שִׂמְחָה" (simchah), which conveys a sense of gladness and delight. In the biblical narrative, joy is often linked to the presence of God and the fulfillment of His promises. It is a deep, abiding sense of happiness that transcends circumstances, rooted in the assurance of God's love and faithfulness. For the righteous, joy is both a present reality and a future promise, reflecting the inner peace and contentment that comes from a life lived in harmony with God.

to the upright in heart
The phrase "upright in heart" uses the Hebrew "יָשָׁר לֵב" (yashar lev), which describes those who are sincere and honest in their innermost being. This expression emphasizes integrity and purity of intention, suggesting that true righteousness is not merely external but originates from a heart aligned with God's truth. In biblical thought, the heart is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. Those who are upright in heart are promised joy, as their lives reflect a genuine commitment to God's ways, resulting in spiritual fulfillment and divine blessing.

(11) Light is sown--i.e., scattered. The metaphor must not be pressed so as to think of a harvest to come. The image is an obvious and common one.

"Sol etiam summo de vertice dissipat omnes

Ardorem in partes, et lumine consent arva."

LUCRETIUS.

And Milton, while enriching its metaphor, doubless had the psalm in his mind:--

"Now morn, her rosy steps in the Eastern clime

Advancing, sow'd the earth with orient pearl."

Verse 11. - Light is sown for the righteous (comp. Psalm 112:4, "Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness"). God sheds the rays of his grace on the path of the righteous man, enlightens his understanding, and illumines his spirit perpetually. And gladness for the upright in heart. Together with "light," he sheds abroad "gladness," the irrepressible joy which comes from a sense of his favour and protection.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Light
א֭וֹר (’ō·wr)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 216: Illumination, luminary

is sown
זָרֻ֣עַ (zā·ru·a‘)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 2232: To sow, to disseminate, plant, fructify

on the righteous,
לַצַּדִּ֑יק (laṣ·ṣad·dîq)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

gladness
שִׂמְחָֽה׃ (śim·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8057: Blithesomeness, glee

on the upright
וּֽלְיִשְׁרֵי־ (ū·lə·yiš·rê-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3477: Straight, right

in heart.
לֵ֥ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre


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OT Poetry: Psalm 97:11 Light is sown for the righteous (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 97:10
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