1 Sing to Jehovah a new song, Sing to Jehovah all the earth.
2 Sing to Jehovah, bless His name, Proclaim from day to day His salvation.
3 Declare among nations His honour, Among all the peoples His wonders.
4 For great `is' Jehovah, and praised greatly, Fearful He `is' over all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples `are' nought, And Jehovah made the heavens.
6 Honour and majesty `are' before Him, Strength and beauty in His sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to Jehovah, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to Jehovah honour and strength.
8 Ascribe to Jehovah the honour of His name, Lift up a present and come in to His courts.
9 Bow yourselves to Jehovah, In the honour of holiness, Be afraid of His presence, all the earth.
10 Say among nations, `Jehovah hath reigned, Also -- established is the world, unmoved, He judgeth the peoples in uprightness.'
11 The heavens joy, and the earth is joyful, The sea and its fulness roar.
12 The field exulteth, and all that `is' in it, Then sing do all trees of the forest,
13 Before Jehovah, for He hath come, For He hath come to judge the earth. He judgeth the world in 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.