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.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 96
Commentary on Psalms 96 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 96
Ps 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 (Ps 33:3; 40:3).
2. show forth—literally, "declare joyful tidings."
salvation—illustrates His glory in its wonders of love and mercy.
4, 5. For He is not a local God, but of universal agency, while idols are nothing.
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.
7-9. Give—or, "ascribe" (Ps 29:1) due honor to Him, by acts of appointed and solemn worship in His house.
8. offering—of thanks.
9. beauty of holiness—(Ps 29:2).
fear … him—(Ps 2:11).
10. Let all know that the government of the world is ordered in justice, and they shall enjoy firm and lasting peace (compare Ps 72:3, 7; Isa 9:6, 7).
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.