Psalm 97
 1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
      let the distant shores rejoice.
The first desire of the Psalmist is that even those outside his own country, even across the waters, would be a people that rejoice in God.
 2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
      righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
No one can set their eyes on God without dying, and so He is surrounded with smoke and darkness, to obscure His physical image. However, the foundation of His Kingship over the world is righteousness and justice.
 3 Fire goes before him
      and consumes his foes on every side.
This is not a praise that people die, or showing joy that God will kill, but reflects that leaders, the best ones, and the ones most worthy of praise, are the ones who can protect protect their subjects from those would kill their subjects… and God’s foes cannot even approach Him. In other words, it’s no contest.
 4 His lightning lights up the world;
      the earth sees and trembles.
The earth itself, not the people on it. So, lest you worship the earth, the earth itself is subject to God. Remember, on day 1 God said, “Let there be light.”
 5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
      before the Lord of all the earth.
Volcanic eruptions
 6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
      and all the peoples see his glory.
Rainbows
God created both volcanic eruptions (which establish a foundation of land for us to live on) and rainbows (which remind us that we’ll never be destroyed as a world through a flood).
 7 All who worship images are put to shame,
      those who boast in idols—
      worship him, all you gods!
Basically, there is just no comparison between God, and the false gods people make up.
 8 Zion hears and rejoices
      and the villages of Judah are glad
      because of your judgments, O LORD. 9 For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
      you are exalted far above all gods. 10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
      for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
      and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is shed upon the righteous
      and joy on the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
      and praise his holy name.
Those who believe God and obey Him are in His light, and should rejoice in God and praise His name.