Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 96

Sing unto the Lord. Compare Ps. 33:3; 98:1; Isa. 42:10. The expression is repeated three times in vs. 1, 2; such iteration is characteristic of this psalm (see vs. 7, 8, 13). All the earth. The psalmist calls not only on his fellow Hebrews but on all the nations of the earth to celebrate God’s praise.

Name. See on Ps. 5:11; 7:17; cf. Ps. 100:4; 145:1, 10, 11. Shew forth. Or, “announce,” “inform” (see Isa. 52:7).

Among the heathen. Not only among the Israelites, but among all the nations of the earth. Among all people. Literally, “among all the peoples” of the earth (see v. 7; PK 313).

Great. God’s greatness calls for great praise (see Ps. 95:3). Above all gods. Compare Isa. 40; 41; 44.

Idols. Heb. ’elilim, “nothings.” There is apparently a play on words between ’elohim, the gods of the nations, and ’elilim, “things of nought” (see 1 Cor. 8:4). Made the heavens. Because God alone created, He alone is to be praised (see Gen. 1:1; Ps. 95:5; 115:15; Isa. 42:5; 44:24; Jer. 10:11; GC 436, 437).

Strength and beauty. Compare 1 Chron. 16:27 where the word “gladness” appears in place of the word “beauty,” and the word “place” instead of the word “sanctuary.”

Give. Note the threefold repetition of the word in vs. 7, 8 (cf. the similar repetition of “sing” in vs. 1, 2). We should go into God’s house to give rather than merely to get. Real prayer does more than lodge requests—it ascribes

Name. See on Ps. 5:11; 7:17. Offering. Heb. minchah, a cereal,or “meat,” offering (see on Lev. 2:1; Ps. 40:6).

Beauty of holiness. See on 1 Chron. 16:29; Ps. 29:2. Fear. Ps. 97:4; on 1 Chron. 16:30.

The Lord reigneth. Ps. 93:1; 97:1; see on 1 Chron. 16:31. Righteously. Ps. 67:4; cf. Ps. 9:8; 96:13.

Rejoice. All nature is invited to share in the praise of God when Christ comes to usher in the eternal reign of righteousness (see GC 300; Ps. 148:7–10; cf. Ps. 98:7–9). In this psalm vs. 11–13 present a galaxy of poetic personifications.

He cometh. A vivid picture of the coming of Christ to inaugurate His kingdom of righteousness. The repetition of the phrase lends force and animation to the passage. To judge. Christ’s coming to judgment will result in the establishment of moral order in the earth and the inauguration of eternal peace and happiness (see John 5:22; Acts 17:31). With righteousness. See Ps. 72:2–4; Isa. 11:1–9. People. Literally, “peoples.” Because Messiah’s kingship is the basis of security in the eternal kingdom, all men are called to rejoice in His redemptive judgment.