Psalms 96
American Standard Version (1901) (ASV) · English
1 Oh sing unto Jehovah a new song: Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth. 2 Sing unto Jehovah, bless his name; Show forth his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples. 4 For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols; But Jehovah made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength. 8 Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9 Oh worship Jehovah in holy array: Tremble before him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth: The world also is established that it cannot 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 the fulness thereof; 12 Let the field exult, and all that is therein; Then shall all the trees of the wood 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 with his truth.
Commentary — not Bible text
Psalms 96:1-3
PSALM 96
Psa 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 (Psa 33:3; 40:3).
Psalms 96:4-5
4-5. For He is not a local God, but of universal agency, while idols are nothing.
Psalms 96:6
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.
Psalms 96:7-9
7-9. Give--or, "ascribe" (Psa 29:1) due honor to Him, by acts of appointed and solemn worship in His house.
Psalms 96:10
Psalms 96:11-13
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.
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