… Rejoice before the Lord. For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth. Psalm 96:12, 13
O Sing Unto the Lord a New Song
Psalm 96 emphasizes world mission, specifically the prophetic fulfillment of the mission provision of the Abrahamic covenant (Ps. 67). The earth is invited to praise the Lord with a new song. All peoples and creation itself will sing to God the great Creator when He comes to judge the earth. “Judge” (96:10). God as Creator has the moral right and responsibility to evaluate human actions and to mete out appropriate reward and punishment. Major passages which develop the doctrine of divine judgement include: John 3:19-21, 5:19-30, 8:15-16, 12:47-49; Rom. 2:1-8; 1 Peter 4:5; Heb. 10:30, 12:12, 13:4; Rev. 20:12.
96:3 Among the nations is a bold declaration that one day the message of God’s mercy will be known the world over. One day the message of God’s salvation will be known among all peoples. This declaration depends on God’s promise to Abraham that through his descendants all nations of the earth will be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3). It also anticipates Jesus’ command to his disciples to spread the news of God’s goodness to a desperate world.
3 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
96:10 The Lord reigns is the key phrase of the royal psalms. It was the countercultural cry of ancient Israelites in a world that believed that gods could rise and fall. In contrast, the living God remains Ruler for all eternity. He shall judge: This verse answers the cry of the oppressed peoples of world history. God will restore justice.
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.”
96:11-13 Let the heavens rejoice: This poem calls for all creation to respond to the coming of the King of glory. He is coming… He is coming: Like the echo of approaching footsteps, the words each each other. Judge the world: See 98:9 for similar words; see Rev. 19; 20 for their fulfillment.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; 12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord. 13 For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.
** He is coming. This promise is written many times all over the Bible so that we won’t miss it. Let us be ready. Be ready to sing a new song soon.
96 1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. 3 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. 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 peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. 7 Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength. 8 Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. 9 Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.” 11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; 12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord. 13 For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.
