Psalms 96

¹O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

²Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

³Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

Psa 96:1-13. The substance of this Psalm, and portions of the ninety-seventh, ninety-eighth, and hundredth, are found in 1Ch 16:7-36, which was used by David’s directions in the dedication of the tabernacle on Mount Zion. The dispensation of the Messiah was typified by that event, involving, as it did, a more permanent seat of worship, and the introduction of additional and more spiritual services. Hence the language of these Psalms may be regarded as having a higher import than that pertinent to the occasion on which it was thus publicly used. 1-3. All nations are invited to unite in this most joyful praise. new song--literally, “fresh,” or new mercies (Psa 33:3; 40:3).

⁴For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

⁵For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

4-5. For He is not a local God, but of universal agency, while idols are nothing.

⁶Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

6. Honour and majesty--are His attendants, declared in His mighty works, while power and grace are specially seen in His spiritual relations to His people.

⁷Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

⁸Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

⁹O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

7-9. Give--or, “ascribe” (Psa 29:1) due honor to Him, by acts of appointed and solemn worship in His house.

¹⁰Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

10. Let all know that the government of the world is ordered in justice, and they shall enjoy firm and lasting peace (compare Psa 72:3, 7; Is 9:6, 7).

¹¹Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

¹²Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

¹³Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

11-13. For which reason the universe is invoked to unite in joy, and even inanimate nature (Ro 8:14-22) is poetically represented as capable of joining in the anthem of praise.