What is the meaning of Psalm 96?

Psalm 96 is a beautiful and profound piece of poetry that calls all of creation to worship and praise the Lord. This psalm is part of a collection known as the enthronement psalms (Psalms 93-99) which celebrate God's sovereign rule over the world. Its verses are filled with exuberant praise and a joyful proclamation of God's glory, majesty, and righteousness. Understanding the meaning of Psalm 96 involves delving into its themes, its structure, and its theological significance.

The psalm opens with a call to sing a new song to the Lord:

"Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth" (Psalm 96:1, NIV).

The phrase "new song" suggests a fresh outpouring of praise, indicating that God's mercies and blessings are continually renewed. This call to sing is not limited to the people of Israel but extends to "all the earth," emphasizing the universal nature of God's sovereignty and the inclusivity of His call to worship.

The next verses expand on this call to worship by highlighting God's attributes and deeds:

"Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples" (Psalm 96:2-3, NIV).

Here, the psalmist invites the worshippers to proclaim God's salvation and to declare His glory and marvelous deeds. This proclamation is not just for the benefit of Israel but is intended for all nations and peoples. It underscores the missionary aspect of Israel's faith, which looks forward to a time when all nations will acknowledge the one true God.

The psalm then contrasts the greatness of the Lord with the worthlessness of idols:

"For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary" (Psalm 96:4-6, NIV).

The psalmist emphasizes that the Lord is "most worthy of praise" and "to be feared above all gods." The so-called gods of the nations are mere idols, powerless and insignificant, while the Lord is the Creator of the heavens. This distinction highlights the futility of idolatry and the supreme power and majesty of the God of Israel. The attributes of splendor, majesty, strength, and glory are ascribed to God, painting a picture of His overwhelming greatness and the awe He inspires.

The call to worship continues with an invitation to ascribe glory and strength to the Lord:

"Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth" (Psalm 96:7-9, NIV).

The repetition of "ascribe to the Lord" three times in these verses emphasizes the importance of recognizing and acknowledging God's glory and strength. The psalmist calls on "all you families of nations" to bring offerings and come into God's courts, suggesting a communal and participatory aspect of worship. The phrase "worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness" invites worshippers to recognize the beauty and purity of God's nature, which inspires reverence and awe.

The psalm then shifts to a proclamation of God's coming judgment:

"Say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns.' The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity" (Psalm 96:10, NIV).

This verse serves as a declaration of God's kingship and His just rule over the world. The assertion that "the world is firmly established, it cannot be moved" reflects the stability and order that come from God's sovereign rule. The promise that God "will judge the peoples with equity" assures that His judgment will be fair and just, a source of hope for the oppressed and a warning to the wicked.

The psalm concludes with a call for all creation to rejoice in anticipation of the Lord's coming:

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness" (Psalm 96:11-13, NIV).

These verses depict a cosmic celebration, where the heavens, the earth, the sea, the fields, and the trees all join in joyful praise. This imagery conveys the idea that all of creation is eagerly anticipating the Lord's coming to set things right. The repeated affirmation that God "comes to judge the earth" and "will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness" reinforces the theme of God's just and faithful rule.

Theologically, Psalm 96 presents a vision of God's universal reign and the ultimate fulfillment of His purposes for creation. It anticipates the eschatological hope of God's kingdom being fully realized, where all nations and all of creation will acknowledge and worship the Lord. This psalm resonates with the New Testament vision of the kingdom of God, where Jesus Christ, the righteous judge, will return to establish justice and peace (Revelation 19:11-16).

In Christian worship, Psalm 96 has been a source of inspiration and a model for praising God. Its themes of God's glory, majesty, and righteous judgment are echoed in various hymns and liturgies. For example, Isaac Watts' hymn "Joy to the World," which is based on Psalm 98, shares similar themes of rejoicing in the Lord's coming and His righteous rule.

Psalm 96 also challenges believers to live out their faith in a way that reflects God's glory and righteousness. The call to proclaim God's salvation and declare His marvelous deeds among the nations encourages Christians to engage in mission and evangelism, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. The psalm's emphasis on worshiping God in the splendor of His holiness invites believers to approach God with reverence and awe, recognizing His beauty and purity.

In conclusion, Psalm 96 is a timeless and powerful call to worship the Lord for His greatness, glory, and righteous judgment. It invites all of creation to join in joyful praise and anticipates the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom. As believers meditate on this psalm, they are encouraged to proclaim God's salvation, live out His righteousness, and worship Him with reverence and awe.