Psalms 96

Psalms 96:1-13

Jehovah manifested.

1. In the next psalm Jehovah is come, and the announcement of it is made, that all the earth may greet and give Him welcome. There is indeed a new song now to sing: for the long estrangement is over, the time when God has to be sought after, even by those nearest Him; and the world may go on in ignorance and unbelief of His existence even. Now He comes to fill the earth with the knowledge of His glory. He comes to bless and save it: to judge it indeed, and that is its salvation, -to purge it from the evil that defiles it, and deliver it from the bondage of corruption; and bring it into the liberty of the glory of the sons of God (Romans 8:21). Jehovah, the living, the eternal God comes to impart to it the blessing that must flow out where He is. “Bless,” then; “His Name; publish His salvation from day to day! Declare His glory among the nations, His wondrous works among all the peoples.”
2. God has not arbitrarily hid Himself. It is men who have turned away from Him. “When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful.” Thus they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened: professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man; and to birds and four-footed beasts, and creeping things" (Romans 1:21-23). This controversy with idolatry is now coming to an end. The sun arises, and the unclean things of the night are banished: “Jehovah is to be feared above all gods.” Truly: for what are they? “all the gods of the peoples are idols” -or as the word means, “nothings” (compare 1 Corinthians 8:4) -“but Jehovah made the heavens.” Such is He who has now come down to an earthly sanctuary, to reveal His heavenly glory upon earth: “honor and glory are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.”
3. To this therefore all are now invited: all the families of the peoples are exhorted to give Him the glory due, the glory of His Name, to come before Him with an offering in token of homage, and worship Him in the majesty of holiness. For Jehovah reigns: He judges the peoples with equity; and that stable and righteous throne is the stability of the world.
4. Nature therefore is called to rejoice in harmony: a song which begun in heaven is taken up on earth, and the sea too lifts up its waves in gladness, not rebellion. The field too is to exult, and the trees of the wood, for the curse of barrenness is lifted off. Jehovah is come, and come to judge the earth: the seal of its perpetuity of blessing emphasized once again to be in evil banished.