Psalms 96

Psalms 96:1-7

This psalm is part of that which was delivered into the hand of Asepi and his brethren, 1 Chron. xvi. 7. by which it appears, that David was the preman of it, and that it has reference to the bringing up of the ark to the city of David; but it looks farther, and is obliged to celebrate the glories of Christ’s kingdom, especially the occasion of the Gentiles to it. Here is, 1. A call given to all people to praise, worship, and glorify Christ, as the great and glorious God, ver. 1—9. 2. Notice given to all people of his universal government and judgment, ver. 10—13.

1. O Sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD all the earth. 2. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name: shew forth his salvation from day to day. 3. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. 4. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. 5. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 6. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7. Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 8. Give unto the LORD the glory; fear unto his name: bring an offering and come into his courts. 9. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him all the earth.

When Jesus is the subject of our song, words must fail to speak our gratitude.

1. With warm devotion the enraptured psalmist calls on the redeemed of the Lord, through the whole earth, to join the song of praise, and publish abroad from day to day, to the most distant heathen lands, the glory of his grace, and the wonders of his mercy in that amazing work he hath accomplished, the salvation of sinners; a theme which will be ever new, nor to eternity be exhausted, but minister occasion for new and everlasting praises, Rev. xiv. 2.

2. He mentions various particulars that afford motives and matter for our songs. For the Lord is great, in uncreated glory, in the works of creation and providence, and especially of redemption and grace, and greatly to be praised; and when we recollect that the Lord is to be heard about all gods. For, however high their votaries exalt them, all the gods of the nations are idols, or mere nathings, unable to do good or hurt, liberals and infirmities: but the Lord made the heavens, and garnished them with all their lustre to declare his glory. Honour and majesty are before him: enthroned in brightness inaccessible; adoring angels bow before him, and cover their faces with their wings; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary; strength, visible in the conversion of sinners, and the support of his militant saints; and heavy displayed in all the ordinances of his worship, and graces of his spirit bellowed on his church and people here below, or in heaven, where the most glorious manifestations of his power and excellence appear, amidst eternity, and spirit of the just made perfect, who wonder and adore.

3. The manner of these service is prescribed. No longer confined to one people, his courts are open to all kindreds or families, and the redeemed out of the whole earth must approach him, giving him the glory so peculiarly his own; nor that we can be better any thing on him, we receive all from him before we can render ought unto him; acknowledging his power, dominion, and sovereignty, v. 7. bring our offering, not the blood of beasts, but our own bodies, souls, and spirits, a living sacrifice; worshipping him in the beauty of holiness, both in his own instituted ordinances of prayer and praise, and out of pure hearts, sanctified by his grace, devoted to his glory; and with reverential fear, sensible of our own vanity, vileness, and unworthiness, to approach him so high, so holy.

4. Say among the heathen, that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved; he shall judge the people righteously.

5. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad: let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. 12. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice 13. Before the LORD, for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall

judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

This psalm dausils upon the same subject with the foregoing, Christ is the alpha and the omega of both. He is that reigns to the joy of all mankind, ver. 1, and his government pleads, 2. Twelve to his enemies; for he is a prince of inflexible justice, and irresistible power, ver. 2—7. 2. Comfort is his faithful subjects, arising from his sovereign dominion; the care he takes of his people, and the provision he makes for them, ver. 8—12.

1. THE LORD reigneth, let the earth rejoice: 1. He is the multitude of sins be glad thereof. 2. Clouds and darkness are round about him: 2. He is the mighty and judgment are the habitation of his throne. 3. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. 4. His lightnings enlightened the world; the earth saw and trembled. 5. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD: at the presence of the LORD of the whole earth. 6. The heavens declare his righteousness: and all the people see his glory. 7. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him; all ye gods.

The Lord reigns. This is the glorious subject; all power in heaven and earth is committed into his hands.

1. It should be matter of joy to all. Let the earth rejoice in the blessings which attend his government: let the multitude of the sins be glad thereof, and among the rest especially our own, so highly favoured with the light of his glorious gospel: though sometimes, as to us it appears, clouds and darkness are round about him, and his dispensations of providence or grace are dark and mysterious; yet, notwithstanding, righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne, the basis and support of it, and all his decisions must indisputably equitable.

2. His wrath will be terrible to those who refuse obedience to his government. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about him; which was seen in the vengeance executed on the Jewish people, who would not have him to rule over them; and will more eminently appear when he shall be revealed at the last day from heaven in flaming fire, and the breath

breath of his mouth shall stay the wicked, 2 Thess. i. 7, 8. His lightnings enlightened the world; and, struck with terror at the judgments, which, swift and irresistible as the flash of lightning, fell upon his murderers, the earth face and trembled. The bells, his mighty opposers, proud of their strength, and immovable in their obstinacy, melted like wave at the presence of the Lord; at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. Thus the Jewish nation were consumed before the Roman sword; and thus the powers of Antichrist shall be deformed, when he arisen in the latter day to shake terribly the earth. Note, However secure and confident sinners are at present, the day is near when their flout hearts shall melt, and their kneed tremble before the eternal Judge and King.

3. His judgments, executed on the ungodly, will be acknowledged as altogether righteous. The heavens declare his righteousness; the lightning and thunder, employed as instruments of his vengeance; or the angelic bulbs, who land and praise him for the justice executed on the wicked: and all the people of his grace set and acknowledge his glory, manifested in the salvation of his redeemed, and the destruction of the impenitent. Confounded he all they, or they shall be confounded, that force served images, whether heathen or people idolaters; and it may be considered either as a prayer for them, that they may with shame repent and be converted; or rather as a prophecy of the ruin they will bring upon themselves by such abominations; and that heath themselves of ideals, which is remarkably verified in the Papists, who glory in their pollures and images of the Virgin Mary and their saints, and place such confidence in them, with a folly equal to their wickedness, and which at last will be manifest to all men: worship him, all ye gods; the angels, so called, Heb. i. 6. who adore him for all his works of righteous judgment. Note, (1.) Jesus is very God, the angels worship him, and teach us where to pay our adorations. (2.) If they are our fellow-servants, and fellow worshippers, what folly, as well as profaneness, would it argue to make them the objects of our devotions.

4. Zion heard, and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced; because of thy judgments, O LORD. 9. For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods. 10. Ye that love the LORD, “hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints, he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. 11. “Light it sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12. “Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous: “and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalms 96:8

—12. It was commanded, v. 1: that the whole earth should rejoice in the establishment of Christ’s kingdom on the ruin of his enemies; and, however others may be affected, his Zion, his church, and the daughters of Judah, all faithful souls, cannot but be glad.

1. They have abundant cause to do so.

(1.) Because of the dignity of their Redeemer’s person. For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth; the name of Jesus is above every name, not only on earth but in heaven, and all power is given him over them both: thou art exalted far above all gods, not only above the fictitious deities of men, but the angels, principalities and powers, are all subject to him, Heb. i. 13. 1 Pet. iii. 22.

(2.) Because he preserveth the souls of his saints. This is their character: They are separated by his grace from a world that loth in wickedness; they are righteous through the imputation of his righteousness to them, and upright in heart by the power of the Divine Spirit, renewing their minds in true holiness; they love the Lord, unfeignedly make him the object of their affections, and cleave to him alone. Such souls are precious in his light; he preserves them from the power of sin, strengthens them against every temptation, enables them to persevere in the ways of truth, and brings them at last to life eternal: he delivers them out of the hand of the wicked, of wicked men, or wicked devils, that seek to seduce and destroy them, but cannot, for God is their refuge and strength, and they shall never persist; and therefore they are bound to praise him.

(3.) Because light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart; whatever darkness may at times surround their path, as evenide it shall be light, and the智慧ness of eternal glory awaits them. Though for a moment they may be now in heartiness through manifold temptations, yet even in the midst of their sorrows, God’s comforts do refresh their souls, and quickly every tear shall be wiped from their eyes; and joy and gladness, eternal and uninterrupted, be their happy portion.

(4.) Because of his judgments, ver. 8. The justice of God magnified in the damnation of the wicked, as well as the mercy of God exalted in the salvation of the righteous, affords just matter for his people’s everlasting praise.

2. The manner in which they must express their joy and gratitude is described. (1.) Rejoice in the Lord, in Christ Jesus,

not in ourselves, our own doings, or defects, but in his righteousness, promises, and grace. (2.) Give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness, with our lips we must speak to his honour, and his holiness be especially the theme at which sinners tremble, and saints rejoice. (3.) Hate evil; our lives as well as lips must have forth his praise; without which, all the offerings of the tongue and knee are unacceptable, and hypocritical. Note, (1.) The love of God, where genuine, cannot but produce hatred of sin. (2.) The more we keep in mind God’s holiness, the more we shall be deterred from approaching whatever is offensive to him.

Psalms 96:10-13

The converted Jews and Gentiles, or rather the ministers put in trust with the gospel, are here directed what to say among the heathen.

1. The Lord reigneth victorious over death and hell, and all his sons; ascended up on high, sat down on his throne, and all power committed to him in heaven and earth; exalted to be a Prince and Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins.

2. The world also shall be established that it shall not be moved; for he upholdeth all things by the word of his power, will preserve this material world till his elect are gathered out of it, and especially will establish his church to the end of time, and then take it to himself a glorious church, and reign over his redeemed people for ever and ever.

3. He shall judge the people righteously; the ordinances of his kingdom shall be most perfectly just and equitable; in the hearts of his people he shall rule by his spirits, establishing them in righteousness and true holiness, and be their judge to vindicate their cause against the accusations and attacks of every enemy.

4. Let heaven and earth adore him. Let the heavens rejoice, the angelic hath who behold with joy the incantate Saviour, and the conversion of the Gentile world, and let the earth be glad; the righteous, who see the Redeemer’s kingdom exalted among men: let the Sea roar, and the Jubels thereof; all who fail on these mighty waters must advance his praise. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein; the church, and all the members of it, incloved by divine love, and cultivated by the great husbandman, exalt in God their Saviour: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord; every child of God, the planting of the Lord, shall bless and praise him. Now, The establishment of the Redeemer’s kingdom upon earth is matter of general joy; and how much greater will the excultation be, when at last in heaven he shall for ever reign over his antientis gloriously!

5. Let the world prepare to meet their God, for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth, it is certain, it is near, at his tremendous bar must all appear, to receive according to the things they have done in the body, with righteousness, and the people with his truth: he needs no evidence who is seen there; and being by his nature altogether righteous and true, his decisions will appear perfect justice. May we be found of him in peace at that day!