Psalms 96

ncss: but another, far better, into which they in that, day were to be brought by the Messiah, a far greater captain of salvation than Joshua. And therefore it concerned them then, he shews, above all other times, to tako care they did not harden their hearts against him, when he came to invite them to a participation of the greatest blessedness; but entertain his holy gospel with a cheerful and joyful obedience to it/ Thcodoret is of opinion, that it was particularly designed for the times * of Josiah,whenhc made that notable reformation, (which. wc read of 2 Chron. xxxiv. xxxv.) and called them from the worship of idols to the service of the true God. But it could never be more properly used by that nation, than when the Lord Christ came to call them to repentance.

Psalms 96:1

\J COME, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. O stir up yourselves, all ye that come hither to worship the Lord, and with united affections let us cheerfully sing his praises: let us lift up our voices, and triumphantly laud the Author of all the good we enjoy; and in whom wc may safely confide for ever.

Psalms 96:2

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.". Let us approach into his presence with thankful hearts, to acknowledge the benefits we have received from him: and devoutly proclaim, with triumphant hymns, what a joy it is to lis that we may address ourselves unto him.,

Psalms 96:3

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. For the Lord is infinitely powerful, and hath a sovereign authority; not only over all the princes on the earth, but all the angels and principalities in heaven. J

Psalms 96:4

In his hand are the deep, places of the earth; the strength of the hills is his also. All those treasures are in his possession, which lie in the deepest and most secret parts of the earth, whither none of our monarchs can extend their power: and the loftiest hills, which none but the Clouds can touch, are part of his dominion.;

Psalms 96:5

The sea is his, and he made it; and his hands formed the dry land. The sea also obeys him alone; who hath an unquestionable title to it, and to all the rest of his wide empire: for he made both it and the dry land, with $11 the things contained therein. t Ver. G. O come, let us worship, and boiv down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.] O be not backward then to comply with this renewed invitation; but let us all with the lowest protestations devoutly adore his majesty: Jet it not suffice us to do it once, but again let us, with humble reverence, bow both our bodies and souls, in token of our subjection to him: let us fall on our knees, pnd submissively acknowledge the duty wc owe to the great Lord who gave us our being. l

Psalms 96:7

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To-day, if ye will hear his voice. Which we, above all people, have reason to do, because he hath a peculiar relation to us, and kindness for us; providing for all our wants most liberally, and conti-, nually defending us from all dangers: O that you would therefore, without delay, listen to him, and be obedient to the. voice of your Creator, Conscrvor, andUenefactor, who calls upon you most graciously, (by his own Son, Hcb. iii. 6, 7. iv.7.) saying;

Psalms 96:8

Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness,. Lay to heart what I have done for you, and be not so stupidly insensible as your fathers were; at that place whose name (Meribah and Massah) preserves the memory of their provoking strife with Moses, and. temptation of God in the wilderness, (Exod. xvii. 2 — 7.)

Psalms 96:9

Wlien your fathers tempted me, proved vie, and saw my ivork. When they doubted of my power, and demanded new proofs of my presence among them, (Exod. xvii. 7.) though they had seen my wonderful works in their late deliverance at the Red Sea; and in making the bitter w r atcrs sweet; and in sending them bread from hcaven> (Exod. xiv. — xvi.)

Psalms 96:10

Forty years long ivas I grieved with this genera tion, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways.* Nor did they then cease their discontented murmuringsand distrust of me; but continued their stubborn infidelity, vexing, nay tiring, my patience for the space of forty years; long before the end of which I concluded that they were a people whose heart would never be steadfastly resolved to adhere unto me; for they did not mind what wonderful things I did for them, nor what I commanded them to do for me.

Psalms 96:11

Unto whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest. Which so highly displeased me, that I sware they should wander all their, days, and die at last in the wilderness, (Numb. xiv. 28, &c.) and never enter into that good land, where I intended to give them rest after all their travels, (Dcut. xii. 9.)