When Adonoy is [universally accepted as]

King,

peoples will tremble;²⁵

footnotes: ²⁵ Radak notes that Psalm 97 states that, ‘When Adonoy is (universally accepted as) King, the earth will exult.’ He explains that the people will tremble during the destruction of Gog of Magog, and only after his downfall will the earth rejoice.

[Before Him Who is] enthroned

on Cherubim,²⁶

footnotes: ²⁶ This is a reference to the golden Cherubim atop the Ark in which Moses placed the two tablets of the Law. See Exodus 25:18-22

the earth will quake.

Adonoy, is great in Zion,²⁷

footnotes: ²⁷ God’s greatness will be revealed in Zion, for there He will bring all the nations to judgement.—Radak Others quote Rabbi Chanina who says that only when God returns His Schechina (Holy Presence) to Zion will His greatness be recognized. Etz Yosef understands the verse as follows: ‘God, Whose dwelling is in Zion, is great and exalted above all peoples.’

and is high above all the peoples.

They will pay homage to Your Name,

[saying], great and awesome, It is holy.

The might of the King

is [evidenced in] His love of justice,²⁸

footnotes: ²⁸ The translation of this verse follows Ibn Ezra.

You have established uprightness,

justice and charity amid Jacob

You have instituted.

Exalt Adonoy, our God,

and prostrate yourselves at His footstool,²⁹

footnotes: ²⁹ ‘Footstool’ is an allusion to the Holy Temple.

holy is He.³⁰

footnotes: ³⁰ Others translate, ‘Holy is it,’ referring to the Holy Temple.

Moses and Aaron among His priests,

and Samuel

among those who invoke His Name,

called to Adonoy, and He answered them.

In a pillar of cloud He spoke to them³¹ ;

footnotes: ³¹ Ibn Ezra understands this as a reference to Moses and Aaron alone, because God did not speak to Samuel from a pillar of cloud.

they preserved His testimonies

and the statute which He gave them.

Adonoy, our God, You answered them;

You were a forgiving God to them,

[yet] You took vengeance

for their misdeeds.³²

footnotes: ³² Moses and Aaron were punished for their role in the incident of the waters of Merivah and were not permitted to enter the Holy Land. Samuel who declared, ‘I am the Seer,’ was punished when he mistakenly thought to anoint David’s brother Eliav as king. (1 Samuel 9).

Exalt Adonoy, our God,

and prostrate yourselves

at His holy mountain;

for Adonoy, our God, is holy.