Bible Commentaries
Psalms 96

Verses 1-13

Psalms 96

The Coming of the Lord

This is a millennial anthem, a song believed to have been written and sung when the Ark, symbol of God’s presence, was brought back to Jerusalem, to be set up in Zion, under the reign of David, 1 Chronicles 16:1; 1 Chronicles 16:4; 1 Chronicles 16:22-23. It appeals for rejoicing among the nations, for the King of the earth shall soon come to His throne.

Scripture v. 1-13:

Verse 1-3 are a call to worship and sing a new song to the Lord Sovereign over all the universe: Even to sing and bless His name, showing forth (evidence of His salvation (in you) from day to day, one day at a time, yet, every day, as expressed Luke 9:23; Psalms 33:3; Psalms 98:1; Psalms 9:11; Psalms 22:23; 1 Chronicles 16:8.
Verse 3 commands "declare his glory among the heathen (where you are) his wonders among all people," that all may know of Him, even as He wills today, John 20:21; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8. See also Exodus 4:21; Exodus 2:8; Isaiah 2:2; Revelation 5:9-10.

Verses 4, 5 reason the Lord is great and to be greatly praised and feared above all gods, rulers, and false gods. For "all the gods of the nations are idols," blind, deaf, dumb, lifeless, unable to see, hear, answer, or help any who bows before them, so different from the living God, Psalms 115:4-9; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6. God made the heavens, and sustains them and us, Acts 17:28; Jeremiah 10; Jeremiah 11, 12; Deuteronomy 10; Deuteronomy 12; 1 Chronicles 16:26.

Verses 6, 7 declare that honor and sovereign majesty are before the Lord and strength and beauty (of holiness) are found in His sanctuary, Isaiah 2:10. The appeal is then made to give to Him, all kindreds of people, both glory and strength, thru worship and deeds of obedient service, Psalms 22:23; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 2:10; James 1:22.

Verse 8 admonishes "Give unto him the glory due his name, bring an offering and come into his courts.” None approaches a king without a present. Neither should we, subjects of the king, in giving Him glory, both in our personal and church .worship life, Ephesians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Exodus 25:2; Deuteronomy 12:5.

Verse 9 calls for worship to the Lord in the beauty of holiness, an holy life, separated, consecrated, Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Deuteronomy 26:10; Psalms 99:5; Exodus 19:6. All the earth is called to fear before Him, Deuteronomy 10:12; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Verse 10 cells upon the godly to witness among the heathen that the omniscient and omnipotent (all knowing and all powerful) God continually reigns over the established world, so that none in it

shall escape His eventual righteous judgment, Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-2; 1 Chronicles 16:8; Exodus 15:18; Psalms 24:2; Deuteronomy 32:4.

Verses 11, 12 call upon all nature to join in one reverberating sound of joy and rejoicing; Called upon specifically are: 1) the heavens, 2) the earth, 3) the sea, 4) the field, and 5) the woods, and all that are in each to be glad, and rejoice at the coming of the majestic King of creation, Psalms 19:1-4; Psalms 65:13. They shall, when He comes, as prophesied, Revelation 5:11-14.

Verse 13 concludes in triumph that the Lord comes, now approaches, Hebrews 10:36-37. He comes to judge the earth and the world with righteousness and His truth, like it has never known among men, Romans 2:16; See also Deuteronomy 32:4; Ezra 9:15; Ecclesiastes 3:17; Isaiah 11:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 6:14-17; Revelation 19:11-21.