Psalms 96 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 96

Worship in the Splendor of Holiness

96:1   Oh sing to the LORD a new song;
    sing to the LORD, all the earth!
2   Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
3   Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4   For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
5   For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the LORD made the heavens.
6   Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7   Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
8   Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
    bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9   Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;¹
    tremble before him, all the earth!
10   Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!
    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
    he will judge the peoples with equity.”
11   Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12     let the field exult, and everything in it!
  Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13     before the LORD, for he comes,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
  He will judge the world in righteousness,
    and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Footnotes

[1] 96:9 Or in holy attire

Commentary

A psalm of praise and proclamation, Used in 1 Chr 16.23-33.

v1-3: Sing joyfully to God. This overflows into testimony among the nations.

v4-6: The greatness of God, above all other gods. Idols are false, man-made gods, "but the Lord made the heavens," such is His greatness. There is a difference between the Creator God, and His creation.

v7-9: God's greatness and holiness; come before Him to give Him glory. We worship and tremble, for He is great.

v10: The message to the nations is that the true God will exercise His authority over all the earth.

v11-13: Creation reflects God's glory (Rom 1.20), and creation rejoices in God's righteous rule.