1 Sing ye unto Jehovah a new song: sing unto Jehovah, all the earth.
2 Sing unto Jehovah, bless his name; publish his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all the peoples.
4 For Jehovah is great and exceedingly to be praised; he is terrible above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols; but Jehovah made the heavens.
6 Majesty and splendour are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Give unto Jehovah, ye families of peoples, give unto Jehovah glory and strength;
8 Give unto Jehovah the glory of his name; bring an oblation and come into his courts;
9 Worship Jehovah in holy splendour; tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth! yea, the world is established, it shall not be moved; he will execute judgment upon the peoples with equity.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof;
12 Let the field exult and all that is therein. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy,
13 Before Jehovah, for he cometh; for he cometh to judge the earth: he will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
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.