Psalms 96

1 O make a new song to the Lord; let all the earth make melody to the Lord.

2 Make songs to the Lord, blessing his name; give the good news of his salvation day by day.

3 Make clear his glory to the nations, and his wonders to all the peoples.

4 For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised; he is more to be feared than all other gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are false gods; but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Honour and glory are before him: strong and fair is his holy place.

7 Give to the Lord, O you families of the peoples, give to the Lord glory and strength.

8 Give to the Lord the glory of his name; take with you an offering and come into his house.

9 O give worship to the Lord in holy robes; be in fear before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, The Lord is King; yes, the world is ordered so that it may not be moved; he will be an upright judge of the peoples.

11 Let the heavens have joy and the earth be glad; let the sea be thundering with all its waters;

12 Let the field be glad, and everything which is in it; yes, let all the trees of the wood be sounding with joy,

13 Before the Lord, for he is come; he is come to be the judge of the earth; the earth will be judged in righteousness, and the peoples with unchanging faith.

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Psalms 96 Commentary

Chapter 96

A call to all people to praise God. (1-9) God's government and judgment. (10-13)

Verses 1-9 When Christ finished his work on earth, and was received into his glory in heaven, the church began to sing a new song unto him, and to bless his name. His apostles and evangelists showed forth his salvation among the heathen, his wonders among all people. All the earth is here summoned to worship the Lord. We must worship him in the beauty of holiness, as God in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. Glorious things are said of him, both as motives to praise and matter of praise.

Verses 10-13 We are to hope and pray for that time, when Christ shall reign in righteousness over all nations. He shall rule in the hearts of men, by the power of truth, and the Spirit of righteousness. His coming draws nigh; this King, this Judge standeth before the door, but he is not yet come. The Lord will accept the praises of all who seek to promote the kingdom of Christ. The sea can but roar, and how the trees of the wood can show that they rejoice we know not; but He that searches the heart knows what is the mind of the Spirit, and understands the words, the broken language of the weakest. Christ will come to judge the earth, to execute just vengeance on his enemies, and to fulfil his largest promises to his people. What then are we? Would that day be welcome to us? If this be not our case, let us now begin to prepare to meet our God, by seeking the pardon of our sins, and the renewal of our souls to holiness.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 96

This psalm was written by David, as appears from 1Ch 16:7,23 to whom it is ascribed by the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions. This and part of Psalm 105 were first composed and sung at the bringing of the ark from the house of Obededom to the city of David; and here it is detached from that with a new introduction to it, and applied to the times and kingdom of the Messiah, and; with great propriety, since the ark was an eminent type of him. The inscription in the Syriac version is,

``a Psalm of David, a Prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, and of the calling of the Gentiles that believe in him:''

and very rightly, since express mention is made of them in it, and of the publication of the Gospel among them; and clear reference is had to Christ, who is the Jehovah all along spoken of Jarchi well observes, that wherever a "new song" is mentioned, it is to be understood of future time, or the times of the Messiah; and the end of the psalm shows it,

\\he cometh to judge\\

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible