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Context: Psalm 96 Is a Psalm of Praise, Attributed to David. Nearly All 13

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Context: Psalm 96 Is a Psalm of Praise, Attributed to David. Nearly All 13 Context: Psalm 96 is a Psalm of praise, attributed to David. Nearly all 13 verses of Psalm 96 are also found in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36, another Psalm of praise written by David. In 1 Chronicles 15 we see David victoriously bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. Then in 1 Chronicles 16 we see David bring it into the tent that he set up for it, and there was a large worship service. Amidst much singing, dancing and praise, David instructs the people to sing a Psalm in verses 8- 36 of chapter 16. Our psalm today, 96, as well as psalms 105 and 106, all contain portions of this psalm in Chronicles. Not only does this confirm Davidic authorship for these psalms, it also shows us the occasion for the use of this particular song: celebration and praise. In Chronicles the people were celebrating the return of the Ark to Jerusalem. David had just defeated the Philistines and was bringing the Ark into Jerusalem for the first time. This was signifying God’s presence returning, and there was a huge party in celebration for all of these events. Understanding its origins, we can see better how this psalm praises God with an emphasis on God’s rule and reign, as well as his presence for Israel. With a look backwards to the Ark arriving in Jerusalem, this Psalm also is looking forward to when the Messiah brings God’s reign over all the earth. God is the true king over all the earth, and he is coming to be here among us. Commentary: David gives two broad “families” of commands in the psalm which are followed by the reasons for those commands. This gives us our four-point structure: 1. Command 1: Sing to the Lord! (Verses 1-3) o There are three commands to “sing to the lord” here. These commands mirror the three times the psalmist tells us to “ascribe” to the lord in verses 7-8. In the Psalms a command to sing is typically given because of some experience of God’s blessing, or a meditation on his word or promises. 2. Reason: The Lord is God (Verses 4-6) o We see in verse 4-6 the reasons to sing, because God is the creator of all things. This stands in contrast to the gods of the nations, which are simply powerless idols. This is a call for the whole earth to sing to God, to recognize his power, deeds, and glory. 3. Command 2: Ascribe to the Lord! (Verses 7-9) o The word ascribe means to give or “attribute something to”. The psalmist here is telling the people to attribute to God the glory and honor that is due his name. This is another way of saying we should praise God for who he is and what he has done. It is describing God’s worthiness, he is the most worthy of our praise and worship. The psalmist is urging the people to recognize and attribute to God this glory and praise that he’s due, implying also that they need reminding and help to do so. 4. Reason: The Lord is Coming to Judge (Verses 10-13) o Right after he tells them to ascribe to God what he is due, the psalmist then lists all facets of creation (fields, heavens, earth, sea, etc.) and tells them to be glad, rejoice, be jubilant, etc. This is representative of all creation, everything that is. o All of this is because God is coming to the world. He is coming and so his presence will be on the earth, which is a look towards the messiah. But he also comes to judge the world. o The judges in Israel were rulers. It was a political office similar to kings, but with more a spiritual component as well. There is a sense here that God will bring justice yes, but the idea of God coming to judge the world also gives a sense of God’s rule and reign coming. It won’t be only Israel that gives God the glory due his name, all the nations will do so as well and be under God’s rule, his judgment. .
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