Psalm 96

We earlier read Psalm 96 in conjunction with 1 Chronicles 16, which concerns David having the Ark of the Covenant brought to its new tabernacle in Jerusalem. The words of Psalm 96, with some alteration, appear as a significant portion of the latter half of the psalm David composed for that occasion (see 1 Chronicles 16:23-33). Portions of Psalms 105 and 106 may also be found in that psalm in 1 Chronicles 16 (see the Beyond Today Bible Commentary on 1 Chronicles 16:4-36; Psalm 105:1-15; 96; 106:1, 47-48).

It appears that the 1 Chronicles 16 psalm was the original composition--later divided into separate psalms, probably for temple worship. Consider that Psalm 96 seems to have been produced through editing the lyrics of 1 Chronicles 16:23-33. Note for instance the following sets of three--sing, sing, sing (verses 1-3), give, give, give (verses 7-9), and let, let, let (verses 11-13). The parallel arrangement in 1 Chronicles 16 has the words sing just once and the word let four times in a row.

It is interesting in this light to consider the first words of Psalm 96, which do not appear in 1 Chronicles 16: "Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!"--the same as Psalm 98:1 (compare also Psalm 33:3; Psalm 40:3; Psalm 144:9; Psalm 149:1). The words of Psalm 96 were probably not new when it was arranged but were being used in a new situation. The music was likely somewhat different, given the word changes. But the main point is probably that all worship songs are to be sung as new--as heartfelt communication rather than rote memorization.

We ought to consider this in singing hymns today. We should always find fresh reasons for praising God. As one commentator suggests: "A new experience of God's blessing, a new truth discovered in the Word, a new beginning after a crisis, a new open door for service--all of these can make an old song new or give us a new song from the Lord" (Warren Wiersbe, Be Exultant--Psalms 90-150: Praising God for His Mighty Works, note on verses 1-3). The psalm further implies that the new song will be a daily expression of the good news of salvation and God's glorious works (verses 1-3).

Psalm 96 is paired with Psalm 98 in both theme and arrangement. They begin and end quite similarly--and they both demonstrate an expanding throng of praise: 1) the worshipping congregation of Israel proclaiming God among the nations (Psalm 96:1-5; Psalm 98:1-3); 2) all the nations of the earth joining in worship (Psalm 96:7-10; Psalm 98:4-6); and 3) all creation rejoicing (Psalm 96:11-13; Psalm 98:7-9). As we will see, each of these psalms is followed by a hymn celebrating the Lord's reign (compare Psalm 97:1; Psalm 99:1) and its special benefits for the people of Zion (compare Psalm 97:8-12; Psalm 99:4-9). "This arrangement suggests that Ps 97 has been linked with 96 and Ps 99 with 98 to form a pair of thematic couplets--introduced by Ps 95" (Zondervan NIV Study Bible, note on Psalm 96).

Psalm 96:4 tells us that God is to be praised for His greatness and that He is to be feared--held in reverent respect and awe--"above all gods." The other "gods" people worship are mere idols, but the true God is the Creator of the universe (verse 5)--which includes anything people might decide to worship. This same reasoning was employed in the previous psalm (Psalm 95:3-5). God is surrounded by majestic honor, strength and splendor in His sanctuary--in context seeming to refer to not merely His physical house on earth but to His heavenly abode (96:6).

The three-fold call give, give, give in verses 7-8 ("ascribe" in the NIV), which does occur in 1 Chronicles 16, has a parallel in David's words of Psalm 29:1-2. The idea is that of rendering God His due. Examples of what to render are also given here in triplet form: offering, worship and proper fear (Psalm 96:8-9). Worshipping "in the beauty of holiness" is also found in the parallel verses above.

Where 1 Chronicles 16 has the directive to "say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns'" (verse 31) as the second of its four "let" verses, it is placed before the "let" verses in Psalm 96. The pairing of this phrase with the comment on the firm establishment of the world in Psalm 96:10, demonstrating God's present sovereignty, is also found in the introduction to the royal psalms of this section (see Psalm 93:1). This also introduces the future reign of God through Jesus Christ, when "He shall judge the peoples righteously" (Psalm 96:10).

In verses 11-12, as noted above, the whole creation is personified as rejoicing at the establishment of that future reign (compare Romans 8:18-23). Where 1 Chronicles 16:33 mentions God as coming to judge the earth (administering His righteous rule and justice throughout it), Psalm 96:13 builds more intensity regarding this theme with the repetition of "He is coming" and the addition of the final sentence describing Christ's coming rule. As already mentioned, a close parallel to the encouraging conclusion in verses 11-13 is found in Psalm 98:7-9.