ⓘThis psalm establishes the Lord’s universal kingship (see...
This psalm establishes the Lord’s universal kingship (see Ps 93) and prepares for the coming of the Lord to bring justice and righteousness into the world. The psalmist invites everyone to worship the Lord (96:1–3), the glorious Creator of all the earth (96:4–6), because worship is due to him alone (96:7–9). The universe joins in praise as the righteous Judge establishes a new order (96:10–13).
1Sing to the LORD a new song;sing to the LORD, all the earth.2Sing to the LORD, bless His name;proclaim His salvation day after day.3Declare Hisglory among the nations,His wonders among all peoples.ⓘThe gods of the nations are as nothing...
The gods of the nations are as nothing before the glorious and majestic Creator of the earth.
4For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;He is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the nations are idols,but it is the LORD who made the heavens.6Splendor and majesty are before Him;strength and beauty fill His sanctuary.7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations,ascribe to the LORDglory and strength.8Ascribe to the LORDtheglory due His name;bring anoffering and enter His courts.9Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness;tremble before Him, all the earth.10Declare among the nations: “The LORD reigns!”The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved;He will judge the peoples with equity.ⓘThe psalmist exhorts the created order to respond...
The psalmist exhorts the created order to respond with joy to the news of the Lord’s coming. Cp. a similar theme in 98:7–9.
11Let the heavens be gladand the earth rejoice;let the sea resound,and all that fills it.12Let the fields exult,and all that is in them.Then all the trees of the forest13before the LORD, for He is coming— He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.
Commentary
Psalms 96:1
Three psalms open with the exhortation to sing a new song (Pss 96, 98, 149); the song celebrates the Lord’s universal kingship (see 33:3).
Great is the Lord! . . . most worthy of praise: With this refrain, the poet exalts the Lord over all the gods (95:3) and nations (99:2). He inspires awe more than anyone or anything else (76:7, 12; 89:7; 99:3; 111:9). He is beyond human possession or comprehension. The story of what he does to redeem his people causes them to praise him.
Commentary
Psalms 96:5
The Lord made the heavens, an even greater task than creating the earth. The idols, made by human hands (115:4), created nothing.
nations of the world (literally families of the nations): Families and clans represent subdivisions of the nations (see Gen 12:3).
The nations must respond to the Lord’s glory (Pss 8:1; 19:1–4; 24:7).
Commentary
Psalms 96:8
The courts of God’s sanctuary were usually off-limits to non-Jewish people. In this psalm the nations of the world—the non-Jews—are invited in (65:4; 84:2, 10; 100:4; 116:19; 135:2; Isa 1:12).
Commentary
Psalms 96:9
Worshipers should tremble in awe (96:4; see 18:7–15; 97:4) at the splendor of the Lord’s majesty and holiness (Heb 12:25).
Commentary
Psalms 96:10
The Lord’s coming means the end of injustice. He rules fairly (9:8; 96:13; 98:9) and inaugurates an era of harmony and order not experienced since Eden.
The Lord’s reign over the world is founded on the strong pillars of “righteousness and justice” (89:14), so it cannot be shaken (cp. 11:3).