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PSALMS 96

Old Testament Studies
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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.

  1. First paragraph
  2. Second paragraph
  3. Third paragraph, etc.

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(s) [i.e., Ps. 96:1-36] 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
    (cf. 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
    (see SPECIAL
    TOPIC: MESSIAH    , i.e., Isaiah 6; 9; Daniel 7; Micah 5).

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).

▣ “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
(OLD TESTAMENT TERM), 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 usage in the OT. It comes from
the commercial usage, “to be heavy,” 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 (see
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. The termelohim can refer to

  1. YHWH
  2. human judges or leaders
  3. angels (see SPECIAL
    TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY    )

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!

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!

▣ “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).

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 (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM)
are universal, not national. See
SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH’S ETERNAL
REDEMPTIVE PLAN.

96:8 “the glory of His name” The name represents the person (cf. Isa. 42:8, see
SPECIAL TOPIC: SHADOW AS A METAPHOR
FOR PROTECTION AND CARE). 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).

▣ 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)

▣ “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” In one sense YHWH is always with His creation. 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

This phrase (BDB 97, KB 112, Qal PARTICIPLE) is repeated for emphasis,
as a prayer, and as an affirmation.

SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS
FOR THE SECOND COMING

▣ “in righteousness. . .in faithfulness” These are in a parallel relationship. God is true
and faithful. He will set all things right! See
SPECIAL
TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS and
SPECIAL
TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT. This concept is also mentioned in
Ps. 96:10c (i.e., uprightness, cf. Ps. 75:2; 98:9).

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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Lessons International

 

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