Psalms96

Psalms 96 is a universal call to worship and praise the LORD, urging all the earth to sing a new song and declare His glory among the nations. It emphasizes His greatness above all idols, His role as Creator, and His coming reign and righteous judgment over the world. The psalm concludes with an invitation for all creation to rejoice in anticipation of His arrival.
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A Call to Universal Praise and Mission

1
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. ​
2
Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.
3
Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples. ​

The Supremacy of Yahweh over Idols

4
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. ​
5
For all the gods of the nations are idols, but it is the LORD who made the heavens. ​
6
Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary.

Worship and Acknowledge God's Glory

7
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and enter His courts.
9
Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth. ​

The Lord Reigns and Comes to Judge

10
Declare among the nations: “The LORD reigns!” The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity. ​
11
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea resound, and all that fills it.
12
Let the fields exult, and all that is in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy
13
before the LORD, for He is coming— He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 96

Verse 1

The phrase 'new song' often signifies praise offered for a fresh act of salvation or creation. The command for 'all the earth' immediately establishes the psalm’s universal and missionary scope.

Verse 3

This verse provides a clear evangelistic mandate, instructing Israel not merely to worship privately but to actively share God’s power and acts of deliverance among the surrounding nations (the *goyim*).

Verse 4

To be 'feared above all gods' (*elohim*) asserts Yahweh's incomparable power. While other nations acknowledge their deities, this psalm demands recognition of the unique greatness of the Creator God.

Verse 5

The core distinction is drawn between the non-existent idols of the nations (*elilim*, meaning ‘vanities’) and Yahweh, who provides proof of His reality by being the Creator of the heavens.

Verse 9

To worship in the 'beauty of holiness' (or 'splendor of holiness') implies reverence that corresponds to the majestic and moral purity of God, particularly as revealed in His sanctuary.

Verse 10

The declaration 'The LORD reigneth' is central to the Enthronement Psalms (Pss 93, 97, 99). It signifies God’s active, sovereign rule, which establishes cosmic order and stability in the world.

Verse 13

The repetition of 'for he cometh' emphasizes the certainty of the divine advent. This judgment is understood not as mere condemnation but as the righteous establishment of justice and truth throughout the earth.

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