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PSALM 96

STROPHE DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

NASB NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
A Call to Worship the Lord the Righteous Judge
  No MT Intro		 A Song of Praise To God Coming in Judgment A Hymn Celebrating God's Kingship God the Supreme King Yahweh, King and Judge
96:1-6 96:1-3 96:1-6 96:1-3 96:1-2a
        96:2b-3
  96:4-6   96:4-6 96:4-5a
        96:5b-6
96:7-10 96:7-9 96:7-9 96:7-9 96:7-8a
        96:8b-9
  96:10 96:10-13 96:10-13 96:10
96:11-13 96:11-13     96:11-12
        96:13

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

  1. This is an extremely exciting and important Psalm. It develops the universal implication of monotheism (see SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM). It also develops the implication of the ethical aspect of monotheism (i.e., a world of justice and righteousness). This may reflect an eschatological court scene, like Matt. 25:31-46 and Rev. 20:11-15.

  2. This Psalm has an eschatological reference. The whole earth (cf. Ps. 96:1,3,7,9,10,13) will one day acknowledge YHWH's supremacy; "YHWH reigns" (cf. Isa. 52:7)!

  3. This Psalm is quoted in 1 Chr. 16:23-33 as part of a larger Psalm in connection with David's bringing the ark into Jerusalem. In context David (LXX), Asaph, or his family could be the human author. The MT has no introductory phrase.

  4. This Psalm reflects a universal worship setting of all peoples where the attributes and actions of the one God (i.e., King and Judge) are praised! This was the purpose of the outer court of the temple (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:43,60; Isa. 56:7; Matt. 21:13; Mark 11:17).

  5. This Psalm is general enough to fit several visitations of YHWH. The "new song" speaks of God's ongoing activity of redemption, not just to Israel, but to all flesh. His salvation is universal.
    SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDFEMPTIVE PLAN

  6. Although there is no specific messianic reference it is obvious from further revelation that the mechanism for accomplishing this universal redemption and reign is the Messiah (cf. Isaiah 6; 9; Daniel 7; Micah 5).
    SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 96:1-6
 1Sing to the Lord a new song;
 Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
 2Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
 Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
 3Tell of His glory among the nations,
 His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
 4For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; 
 He is to be feared above all gods.
 5For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
 But the Lord made the heavens.
 6Splendor and majesty are before Him,
 Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

96:1 "Sing to the Lord This is an IMPERATIVE repeated three times for emphasis (also in Ps. 96:7-8; this was a literary way to form a Hebrew superlative, cf. Isa. 6:3, or a poetic way of denoting emphasis, cf. Ps. 103:10,21,22; 118:2,3,4; 135:1; 136:1,2,3; Jer. 7:4; 22:29). It is YHWH's will that "all the earth" sing and bless Him. It is Israel's job to make YHWH's character and acts known to the world. All creation will praise Him (cf. Ps. 96:11-12; 103:19-22; 145:10).

▣ "a new song" This phrase is used often in the Bible (cf. Ps. 33:3; 40:3; 98:1; 144:9; Isa. 42:10; Rev. 5:9; 14:3). God is always doing a new redemptive thing for His human creation. This seems to refer to His coming in salvation for all nations (cf. Ps. 96:13).

The word "new" (BDB 294 I, cf. Ps. 33:3; 40:3; 90:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1) is used often in Isaiah denoting YHWH's new creative activity. The "new" is really what YHWH wanted original creation to be. The results and influence of the Fall are reversed and eliminated! The Bible starts in Eden (Genesis 1-4) and ends in a new Eden (Revelation 21-22).

Isaiah uses this term to describe several things.

  1. new things ‒ Isa. 42:9; 48:6
  2. new song ‒ Isa. 42:10 (Rev. 5:9; 14:3)
  3. something new ‒ Isa. 43:19 (Rev. 3:12)
  4. new names ‒ Isa. 62:2 (Rev. 2:17; 3:12)
  5. new heaven and new earth ‒ Isa. 65:17; 66:22 (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:5)

▣ "all the earth" This universal theme is repeated over and over again in this Psalm (cf. Ps. 96:3,7, 9,10,13). See SPEICAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH. Please, please take the time to look at the SPECIAL TOPIS: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN. It is the integrating center of my theology.

96:2 "bless His name" This also is an IMPERATIVE (BDB 138, KB 159, Piel). The word's root meaning is "to kneel down" in worship. Therefore, this would denote a temple liturgy or confession (cf. Ps. 26:12; 100:4; 134:1-2; 135:19-20; Neh. 9:5).

SPECIAL TOPIC: WORSHIP

SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH

▣ "Proclaim good tidings" This is another Piel IMPERATIVE (BDB 142, KB 163). The good news could refer to the character of YHWH or His acts of deliverance/redemption (cf. Isa. 40:9; 41:27; 52:7; 60:6; Nah. 1:15). In this context it refers to YHWH's redemption of all the earth (the "tell" of Ps. 96:3a is parallel, it is also a Piel IMPERATIVE, BDB 707, KB 765).

▣ "from day to day" AB makes an interesting point about

  1. possibly, ים ‒ sea and ים ‒ day are spelled alike in Phoenician (p. 357)
  2. from sea to sea (cf. Ps. 72:8; Zech. 9:10) fits the universal nature of the Psalm better (p. 357)

It should also be noted that the "seas" are referred to in Ps. 96:11.

▣ "salvation" In the OT this (BDB 447) referred to physical deliverance (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION [OT]), but in the NT the connotation changes to spiritual deliverance (see SPECIAL TOPIC: GREEK VERB TENSES USED FOR SALVATION). This eschatological Psalm spans both covenants and links both aspects.

96:3 "glory" This term is used in Ps. 96:3,7,8. It has a wide semantic field in the OT. It comes from the commercial usage, "to be heavy" (i.e., used in a scale), as in a valuable metal. It is used of

  1. YHWH's name ‒ Ps. 29:2; 66:2; 96:8
  2. YHWH's person ‒ Exod. 24:16-17; 33:18,22; 40:34-35; Num. 14:22
  3. YHWH's actions ‒ Exod. 16:7,12

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (kabod, OT)

▣ "His wonderful deeds" See SPECIAL TOPIC: WONDERFUL THINGS

96:4 "greatly to be praised. . .to be feared" This is the same as Ps. 48:1. These two do not seem to fit together, yet they both reflect an appropriate attitude toward God. "Fear" (BDB 431, KB 432, Niphal PARTICIPLE) means awe or respect.

SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT))

▣ "above all gods" Psalm 96:4 and 5 speak of the "elohim of the peoples." There is a Hebrew word play between "god" ‒ elohim (BDB 43, 96:4) and "idols" ‒ elilim (lit. "weak," "nothing," BDB 47, cf. Ps. 96:5; NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 411).

The gods (elohim) of the nations were thought to be fallen angels by the early church fathers, but surely, in this context it refers to pagan idols, while in Ps. 89:5,7 it refers to the angelic council (see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVENLY COUNCIL OF ANGELS). The term elohim can refer to

  1. YHWH (i.e., Gen. 1:1)
  2. human judges or leaders
  3. angels

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C.

96:5 "the Lord made the heavens" The supremacy of YHWH is evidenced by His creation of the world (cf. Ps. 96:10,11-12). He, and He alone, is the creator (cf. Genesis 1-2; Psalm 104)!

SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN

96:6 Notice the personified (cf. Ps. 23:6) NOUNS used to denote YHWH's personal presence.

  1. splendor ‒ BDB 217 I, cf. 1 Chr. 16:27; 29:11; Ps. 104:1; 111:3; 145:5; 148:13; Job 37:22; 40:10; Hab. 3:3
  2. majesty ‒ BDB 214, cf. 1 Chr. 16:27; Ps. 90:16; 104:1; 111:3; 145:5; Job 40:11; Isa. 2:10,19,21
  3. strength ‒ BDB 738, cf. 1 Chr. 16:27; Job 12:16; Ps. 62:11; 63:2; 68:34; 93:1
  4. beauty ‒ BDB 802, cf. 1 Chr. 29:11; Ps. 71:8; 89:13; Isa. 63:12,14,15

I like the UBS Handbook's suggestion that #1 and #2 are royal terms (cf. Ps. 21:5; 45:3), while #3 and #4 relate to the Ark of the Covenant in Ps. 78:61 (p. 834). Notice that line 1 ends in "before Him" (YHWH as King) and line 2 ends with "in His sanctuary," which contains the ark!

For a good discussion on

  1. personification or anthropomorphism used in the Bible see G. B. Carid, The Language and Imagery of the Bible, pp. 172-182
  2. mythology used in the Bible, pp. 219-242
  3. eschatology in the Bible, pp. 243-271

This book has been very helpful to me on the literary imagery of the Bible!

SPECIAL TOPIC: ARK OF THE COVENANT

▣ "in His sanctuary" This could refer to the heavenly temple (cf. Exod. 25:8-9) or the earthly temple. The earthly was a mere copy of the heavenly (cf. Heb. 8:5; 9:23). The Psalm of Thanksgiving of 1 Chronicles 16 obviously is the earthly (cf. Hebrews 9-10). See John H. Walton, The Lost World of Genesis One: An Ancient Cosmology.

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 96:7-10
 7Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
 Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
 8Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name;
 Bring an offering and come into His courts.
 9Worship the Lord in holy attire;
 Tremble before Him, all the earth.
 10Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns;
 Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;
 He will judge the peoples with equity."

96:7 "Ascribe" This threefold repetition (three Qal IMPERATIVES, BDB 396, KB 393) reflects Ps. 29:1-2, where angels praise YHWH. Here it is all the people of the earth. The implications of monotheism are universal, not national.

SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

96:8 "the glory of His name" The name represents the person (cf. Isa. 42:8). He is worthy of glory and honor (for the connotation of "glory" in this text cf. Mal. 1:6). This concept is a recurrent theme (cf. 1 Chr. 16:29; Ps. 29:2; 66:2; 79:9).

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (OT, kabod)

▣ The second line of this verse has two more Qal IMPERATIVES.

  1. bring an offering ‒ BDB 669, KB 724
  2. come into His courts ‒ BDB 97, KB 112

Like the first strophe (Ps. 96:1-6), this refers to temple worship.

96:9 "Worship. . .Tremble" These are two IMPERATIVES related to temple activities.

  1. worship (lit. "bow down") ‒ BDB 1005, KB 295, Hithpael or Hishtaphel), cf. Ps. 29:2
  2. tremble ‒ BDB 296, KB 297, Qal, the term can denote
    1. writhing in pain
    2. dancing in worship (cf. Ps. 96:8, cf. NEB and Jdgs. 21:21)
    3. whirling, as in combat, with a sword
    4. tremble of
      (1) the earth, Ps. 97:4; 104:32; 114:7
      (2) human worshipers, Ps. 96:9 (i.e., awe and respect)

SPECIAL TOPIC: WORSHIP

▣ "in holy attire" This phrase (BDB 214 CONSTRUCT BDB 871) is uncertain in Hebrew. It can mean

  1. clothing appropriate for worship (cf. 1 Chr. 16:29; 2 Chr. 20:21; Ps. 29:2; 110:3)
  2. a reference to the Lord's coming (cf. Ps. 96:13, TEV)

Just a possible clarification to the first option (i.e., appropriate clothing for worship). The term elilm (BDB 43) is a rare Hebrew word. AB thinks it may be related to the Ugaritic term for "rage" (pp. 356, 358). If so, then there is a contrast set up between how YHWH's worshipers are dressed (Ps. 96:9) and the dreadful way the pagan idols are dressed (Ps. 96:5) and worshiped.

▣ "The Lord reigns" This is a common affirmation in the Psalms (cf. Ps. 93:1; 97:1; 99:1). It refers to YHWH as king over all creation (cf. Ps. 95:3-5). He reigns now (cf. Isa. 52:7) but the reign is contested. One day His kingship will be clearly manifested (cf. Ps. 96:13; Zech. 14:9; Matt. 6:10; 1 Cor. 15:25-28).

96:10 "the world is firmly established, it will not be moved" In this strophe this phrase does not refer to initial creation (Genesis 1-2) but the new creation (Revelation 21-22; 2 Pet. 3:4-7,10-13). This world has been damaged by sin and rebellion. It will last a long time but not permanently. This is a violent universe. Unless God acts, this planet cannot survive.

▣ "He will judge the peoples" There is but one God. He is a righteous, ethical, covenant-making God! All flesh will give an account to Him (cf. Gen. 18:25; Ps. 9:8; 58:11; 67:4; 94:2; 98:9; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 20:11-15)!

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 96:11-13
 11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
 Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
 12Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
 Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy
 13Before the Lord, for He is coming,
 For He is coming to judge the earth.
 He will judge the world in righteousness
 And the peoples in His faithfulness.

96:11-12 All creation rejoices (personification) at the coming of the creator (i.e., Ps. 103:19-22; 145:10; Isa. 49:13; Rom. 8:19-22).

Notice all the JUSSSIVES.

  1. let the heavens be glad ‒ BDB 970, KB 1333, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense; for "heavens" see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN
  2. let the earth rejoice ‒ BDB 162, KB 189, Qal JUSSIVE; the use of "heaven" and "earth" was an idiomatic way of calling on all creation to praise God (cf. Gen. 1:1)
  3. let the sea roar ‒ BDB 947, KB 1266, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense; remember the sea could represent
    1. initial chaotic ANE gods (cf. Ps. 89:9-10; 93:3-4)
    2. a tripartite creation (i.e., "heavens," "earth," "sea," cf. Amos 9:6; Hag. 2:6, see NIDOTTE, vol. 2, pp. 463-465)
  4. let the field exult ‒ BDB 759, KB 831, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense
  5. let the trees. . .sing for joy ‒ BDB 943, KB 1247, Piel IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense

96:13 "He is coming" This phrase (BDB 97, KB 112, Qal PARTICIPLE) is repeated for emphasis. YHWH is returning to His creation as Judge. In one sense YHWH is always with His creation. One day He is going to clearly manifest His presence to His creation. Creation convulses and exults at His presence. He comes for

  1. blessing
  2. judgment (here)

▣ "in righteousness. . .in faithfulness" These are in a parallel relationship. God is true and faithful. He will set all things right! This concept is also mentioned in Ps. 96:10c (i.e., uprightness, cf. Ps. 75:2; 98:9).

SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS

SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.

  1. How is this Psalm so relevant to the new covenant as well as the old?
  2. List the universal elements of the Psalm. What is their implication?
  3. Why does nature rejoice at YHWH's coming?
  4. How is judgment a day of joy?

 

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