Psalms 96

Chapter Summary

Psalms 96 begins with a call to sing a new song to the Lord, proclaiming His salvation and glory among all nations. The psalmist exhorts the people to ascribe greatness to God, recognizing His majesty and power. The chapter also looks forward to the day when all nations will worship God together, and it warns against the idols of the nations, emphasizing the uniqueness and superiority of the God of Israel. Key verses, such as Psalms 96:1-3 and Psalms 96:7-10, highlight the themes of worship, praise, and the universal recognition of God's glory.

Context for the Chapter

Psalms 96 is part of the fifth book of Psalms, which includes Psalms 107-150. This book is characterized by its emphasis on worship, praise, and the universal recognition of God's glory. Psalms 96 is closely related to Psalms 95 and Psalms 97-100, which also focus on the themes of worship, salvation, and the sovereignty of God. The chapter is likely post-exilic, reflecting the hopes and aspirations of the Israelites for a future time of universal worship and recognition of God's glory.

Heart Application

As we reflect on Psalms 96, we are reminded of the importance of worshiping God with reverence and awe. We are called to recognize His majesty and power, and to tremble before Him. This chapter invites us to join in the universal worship of God, acknowledging His sovereignty and glory among all nations. May we be inspired to worship God with fresh and vibrant praise, and to proclaim His salvation and glory to all people.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Psalms 96 is a call to worship and praise God for His greatness and salvation. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and glory among all nations, and warns against the idols of the nations. The chapter invites all people to join in the worship of the one true God, who is worthy of praise and adoration. As we read Psalms 96:1-3, we are reminded to sing a new song to the Lord, proclaiming His salvation and glory among all nations.

Voices from the Church

“The psalmist says, 'Sing to the Lord a new song.' This is a call to freshness and vitality in our worship, to sing with the spirit and the understanding also.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The psalmist warns us against the idols of the nations, reminding us that God is a jealous God, who will not give His glory to another.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. Call to Worship (Psalms 96:1-3) — The psalmist calls the people to sing a new song to the Lord, proclaiming His salvation and glory among all nations.
2. Ascribing Greatness to God (Psalms 96:4-6) — The psalmist exhorts the people to ascribe greatness to God, recognizing His majesty and power.
3. Warning Against Idols (Psalms 96:5) — The psalmist warns against the idols of the nations, emphasizing the dangers of idolatry and the importance of worshiping the one true God.
4. Universal Worship (Psalms 96:7-10) — The psalmist envisions a future where all nations will worship God together, recognizing His sovereignty and glory.
5. Call to Reverence (Psalms 96:9) — The psalmist calls the people to tremble before God, recognizing His majesty and power.

Core Doctrines

Worship

Psalms 96 teaches us about the importance of worshiping God with reverence and awe, recognizing His majesty and power.

Salvation

The chapter emphasizes God's acts of deliverance and redemption, which are the basis for worship and praise.

Sovereignty of God

Psalms 96 affirms God's sovereignty and glory among all nations, emphasizing His universal reign and dominion.

Idolatry

The chapter warns against the dangers of idolatry, emphasizing the exclusive claims of the God of Israel and the importance of worshiping the one true God.

Lessons from Psalms 96

1. The Importance of Worship — Psalms 96 teaches us about the importance of worshiping God with reverence and awe, recognizing His majesty and power.
2. The Dangers of Idolatry — The chapter warns against the dangers of idolatry, emphasizing the exclusive claims of the God of Israel and the importance of worshiping the one true God.
3. The Universality of God's Glory — The psalmist envisions a future where all nations will worship God together, recognizing His sovereignty and glory.
4. The Call to Reverence — The psalmist calls the people to tremble before God, recognizing His majesty and power.
5. The Basis for Worship — The chapter emphasizes God's acts of deliverance and redemption, which are the basis for worship and praise.

Themes from Psalms 96

1. Worship and Praise — Psalms 96 is a call to worship and praise God for His greatness and salvation, emphasizing the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and glory among all nations.
2. Sovereignty of God — The chapter affirms God's sovereignty and glory among all nations, emphasizing His universal reign and dominion.
3. Salvation and Redemption — The psalmist emphasizes God's acts of deliverance and redemption, which are the basis for worship and praise.
4. Idolatry and False Worship — The chapter warns against the dangers of idolatry, emphasizing the exclusive claims of the God of Israel and the importance of worshiping the one true God.
5. Universal Worship — The psalmist envisions a future where all nations will worship God together, recognizing His sovereignty and glory.

Questions for Meditation

1. What does it mean to sing a new song to the Lord, and how can we apply this in our worship today?
2. How does the psalmist's emphasis on God's sovereignty and glory among all nations relate to our understanding of God's universal reign and dominion?
3. What are some ways we can ascribe greatness to God in our daily lives, and how can we prioritize worship and praise in our relationship with Him?
4. How does the warning against idols in Psalms 96:5 relate to our modern-day struggles with idolatry, and what are some practical ways we can avoid idolatry in our lives?
5. What does it mean to tremble before God, and how can we cultivate a sense of reverence and awe in our worship and daily lives?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Psalms 96

	Sermon	Description
	God Made Man to Worship by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of worshiping God. He states that worship is the chief purpose of man's existence, as taught in the Bible. However, due to sin
	God Is Doing a New Thing in His Church by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of staying connected to God and seeking Him with hunger and passion. He warns against allowing apathy and lukewarmness to ent
	Evan Roberts Preaching in 1905 by Evan Roberts	Evan Roberts reflects on the glorious deeds of God, emphasizing that no amount of time could fully express His greatness. He challenges the congregation to consider what they offer
	Attributes of God (Series 2): Introduction by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the character of God. He mentions a previous series of sermons on the attributes of God that had a profound
	The Lord's Controversy Concerning Zion by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the love of Jesus and His desire to give peace and rest to His followers. He warns against the flood of sin and deception that is being sprea
	Habitation! by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the structure of a church service and the different elements that make up the first three hours and the second three hours. The first three ho
	God of the Nations - Part 1 by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the historical and ethnic background of the Slavic people who had become Muslims during an invasion four centuries ago. He highlights the warf
	God Is Worthy of Worship by Leonard Ravenhill	This sermon emphasizes the privilege and importance of worship, focusing on the scene in Revelation 5 where the Lamb is found worthy to open the book and receive worship from all c
	The Beauty of Holiness by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the urgency of preaching the word of God in a generation that is unaware of the impending judgment of hellfire. He emphasizes the importance
	Jesus Our Sovereign Savior by Steven J. Lawson	This sermon delves into Revelation chapter 5, focusing on the unveiling of Christ as the sovereign Savior. It emphasizes the unique authority and power of the Lord Jesus Christ to

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 96

Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 96 emphasizes the importance of worshiping God with reverence and awe, recognizing His majesty and power. Henry notes that the psalmist calls the people to sing a new song to the Lord, proclaiming His salvation and glory among all nations. He also warns against the idols of the nations, emphasizing the dangers of idolatry and the importance of worshiping the one true God. Henry sees the chapter as a call to universal worship, where all nations will recognize God's sovereignty and glory. He emphasizes the basis for worship, which is God's acts of deliverance and redemption, and the call to reverence, which is a recognition of God's majesty and power. As Henry notes, 'The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?