When Adonoy

is [universally accepted as] King¹²

footnotes: ¹² Our Sages say that this will occur after the annihilation of Amalek. At that time God’s Name and His throne will be complete. See Exodus 10.

the earth will exult;

the multitudes of islands¹³ will rejoice.

footnotes: ¹³ Those who live on these islands will rejoice.—Etz Yosef

Clouds and dense darkness surround Him;¹⁴

footnotes: ¹⁴ These clouds and darkness will envelop and destroy the wicked, after which God’s justice and righteousness will be apparent. Others say that this is an allusion to the mystery of God’s ways, but that His kingdom is founded on righteousness.—Radak

righteousness and justice

are the foundations of His throne.

Fire will go before Him

to surround¹⁵ and burn His antagonists.

footnotes: ¹⁵ God will surround them with fire so there will be no escape for them.—Radak

His lightning illuminates

the inhabited world,

the earth sees and trembles.¹⁶

footnotes: ¹⁶ The future revelation of God’s kingdom is described in terms similar to those of the revelation at Mount Sinai.

The mountains¹⁷ melt like wax

footnotes: ¹⁷ ‘Mountains’ refers to the kings of the world—Etz Yosef

before Adonoy,

before the Master of all the earth.

The heavens will declare His righteousness

and all the peoples will behold His glory.

Humiliated will be

all who serve graven images,

who are proud of idols;

before Him all gods will bow.

Zion will hear and rejoice,

and the daughters [cities] of Judah will exult

because of Your judgments, Adonoy.

For You, Adonoy, are most high

over all the earth;

You are greatly exalted above all gods.¹⁸

footnotes: ¹⁸ Etz Yosef understands ‘gods’ to refer to the sun, moon, stars, etc.

Lovers of Adonoy, hate evil!

He preserves the souls of His pious ones;

from the hand of the wicked, He saves them.

Light is sown¹⁹ for the righteous,

footnotes: ¹⁹ Light is sown for the righteous in this world but the harvest of that light awaits the future world.—Radak Others say that the light may be hidden like the seed in the earth, but it is sure to spring forth.

and for the upright in heart—joy.

Rejoice, righteous ones,²⁰ in Adonoy,

footnotes: ²⁰ Shevet Musar says that the righteous ones will not merely rejoice in their personal salvation and deliverance but they will actually rejoice in God, Whose kingdom will be revealed and complete.

and give thanks to His holy Name.²¹

footnotes: ²¹ Lit: His holy mention.