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.

A Call to Universal Praise and Mission

1
Sing to ADONAI a new song! Sing to ADONAI, all the earth! ​
2
Sing to ADONAI, bless his name! Proclaim his victory day after day!
3
Declare his glory among the nations, his wonders among all peoples! ​

The Supremacy of Yahweh over Idols

4
For ADONAI is great, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared more than all gods. ​
5
For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but ADONAI made the heavens. ​
6
In his presence are honor and majesty; in his sanctuary, strength and splendor.

Worship and Acknowledge God's Glory

7
Give ADONAI his due, you families from the peoples; give ADONAI his due of glory and strength;
8
give ADONAI the glory due to his name; bring an offering, and enter his courtyards.
9
Worship ADONAI in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth! ​

The Lord Reigns and Comes to Judge

10
Say among the nations, "ADONAI is king!"The world is firmly established, immovable. He will judge the peoples fairly. ​
11
Let the heavens rejoice; let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and everything in it;
12
let the fields exult and all that is in them. Then all the trees in the forest will sing
13
before ADONAI, because he has come, he has come to judge the earth; he will judge the world rightly and the peoples with 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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