Psalms 96

These psalms challenge the doubts created by the exile (see Psalm 89) and answer the questions asked in Psalm 90:11, 13. The Lord has established a kingdom (Psalm 93) that is characterized by:

• punishment of the wicked (Psalm 94),

• respectful obedience among his people (Psalm 95),

• justice for the poor (Psalm 96),

• celebration in Zion (Psalm 97),

• salvation for Israel (Psalm 98),

• holiness (Psalm 99), and

• praise (Psalm 100).

Three psalms begin by urging people to sing a new song (Psalms 96, 98, 149). The song celebrates the Lord's universal kingship (see Psalm 33:3).

• This psalm establishes the Lord’s universal kingship (see Psalm 93) and prepares for the coming of the Lord to bring justice and righteousness to the world. The psalmist invites everyone to worship the Lord (Psalm 96:1–3), the glorious Creator of the earth (96:4–6), because only he deserves worship (96:7–9). The universe joins in praise as the righteous Judge establishes a new order (Psalm 96:10–13).

• This psalm (along with Psalm 105:1–15; 106:1, 47–48) is included in David’s song of praise recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:1–43.

great is the LORD … greatly to be praised: The poet praises the Lord above all gods (Psalm 95:3) and nations (99:2). The Lord inspires more awe than anyone or anything else (Psalm 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.

The gods of the nations are as nothing before the glorious and awesome Creator of the earth.

The Lord made the heavens, an even greater task than creating the earth. The idols, made by human hands (Psalm 115:4), created nothing.

Splendor and majesty: The Lord is glorious (Psalm 96:6; 104:1; 148:13), and so are his works in nature (8:1) and in redemption (111:3; 145:5).

• families of the nations: Families and clans represent subdivisions of the nations (see Genesis 12:3).

• The nations must respond to the Lord’s glory (Psalms 8:1; 19:1–4; 24:7).

The courts of God’s sanctuary were usually not open to non-Jewish people. In this psalm, the nations of the world (people who are not Jews) are invited to come in (Psalm 65:4; 84:2, 10; 100:4; 116:19; 135:2; Isaiah 1:12).

Worshipers should tremble in awe (Psalm 96:4; see 18:7–15; 97:4) at the splendor of the Lord’s great power and holiness (Hebrews 12:25).

• The Lord’s coming means the end of injustice. He rules fairly (Psalm 9:8; 96:13; 98:9). He brings a time of peace and order like the world has not known since Adam and Eve lived in the garden of Eden.

• The Lord’s rule over the world stands on the strong pillars of “righteousness and justice” (Psalm 89:14), so it cannot be shaken (compare 11:3).

The psalmist urges all of creation to respond with joy to the news of the Lord’s coming. Compare a similar theme in Psalm 98:7–9.

All of nature will experience renewal in God’s presence (Psalms 65:13; 72:6, 16; Isaiah 44:23; 55:12; Romans 8:21–22).