Psalms 96

Psalms 96:1-13

“ The Lord Reigneth” Psalms 96:1-13 This psalm is found also in 1 Chronicles 16:1-43. Note the thrice-repeated command, Sing, sing, sing, Psalms 96:1-2; the corresponding, thrice-repeated, Give, give, give, Psalms 96:7-8; the triple call for joy from heaven, sea, and land, Psalms 96:11-12. It is good to read these psalms; they impart the burning devotion of these olden saints. They break on our lethargy as the bugle-call on the sleeping soldier. Notice that we call men to a Jubilate, not a Miserere, when we invite them to come home to God. What a stately procession escorts the King to the throne of the world! He comes to reign in equity. Righteousness and truth which had fled the world return with Him. Honor and majesty are His avant-couriers. Strength and beauty stand in His court-circle. When we are brought into the divine Kingdom, and are at one with God, we detect the unison of nature in her song of praise. The seas provide the bass; the quivering leaves, the song of buds, the hum of insect life provide the tenors and altos; while the stars in their courses sing the treble. To the anointed ear, the new song has already begun.

The beauty of holiness This Psalm and the preceding one form a pair. This one is to be also found in 1 Chronicles 16:23-33. It was probably re-edited at the time when the preceding (Psalms 95:1-11) was composed. Note the thrice-repeated command, Sing, sing, sing (Psalms 96:1-2), which corresponds to the thrice-repeated, Give, give, give (Psalms 96:7-8); and with the triple call for joy from heaven, sea and field (Psalms 96:11-12).

Psalms 96:1. Sing unto the Lord a new song! We should always praise God with fresh emotions, if not with different words. The “new song” is ever in front of us (Revelation 5:9-10).

Psalms 96:2. Show forth, not only with our lips, but with our lives.

Psalms 96:5. Idols, i.e., “things of nought” (R.V., marg.). See 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 The heavens are constantly quoted as a challenge to our poor conceptions of God (Job 26:1-14; Isaiah 40:1-31).

Psalms 96:6. Honor and majesty are his inseparable attendants. Wherever He is (for here is his sanctuary) there are strength and beauty. These may also be ours as his gifts (Psalms 96:9), but to give them back to Him (Psalms 96:7).

Psalms 96:7-8. Give unto the Lord! (compare Psalms 29:1-2) What better offering is there than thyself? (Romans 12:1).

Psalms 96:10. The Lord reigneth! The reign of the Lord in heart or universe must ever be a theme for song. His righteous equity

Shall yet roll back the curse and hush the groans of a travailing universe (Romans 8:14-22). “Tell it out!”