I love this Psalm. It's full of the praise only our God is worthy of. And I love the last 4 verses, speaking of God's judgement. It reminds of some wisdom I heard on Dr. Phil (yes, wisdom on Dr. Phil!), about forgiveness. I had been having difficulties with forgiving someone. Dr. Phil put it this way, forgiveness is a choice, to allow God, and only God, to judge the person who has offended you. I hadn't quite wrapped my mind around forgiveness, until that moment. I see that it is still a daily choice. But I know with all certainty that God will judge with righteousness and truth. I feel I am finally moving on to truly forgiving this person. It doesn't mean that I am forgetting or saying, "oh that's okay that you did this horrible thing to me", it simply means that I'm not standing in judgement over it, as God will take that from me. Anyway, that's my tiny bit of progress in this world.
I hope that your week is off to a blessed beginning,
Lili
Psalm 96
1Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!2Sing to the LORD; bless his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.3Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.4Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be revered above all the gods.5The gods of other nations are merely idols, but the LORD made the heavens!6Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7O nations of the world, recognize the LORD; recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong.8Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come to worship him.9Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him.10Tell all the nations that the LORD is king. The world is firmly established and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!12Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise13before the LORD! For the LORD is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and all the nations with his truth.
(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christnotes.org)
"Chapter Contents
A call to all people to praise God. (1-9) God's government and judgment. (10-13)
Commentary on Psalm 96:1-9
When Christ finished his work on earth, and was received into his glory in heaven, the church began to sing a new song unto him, and to bless his name. His apostles and evangelists showed forth his salvation among the heathen, his wonders among all people. All the earth is here summoned to worship the Lord. We must worship him in the beauty of holiness, as God in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. Glorious things are said of him, both as motives to praise and matter of praise.
Commentary on Psalm 96:10-13
We are to hope and pray for that time, when Christ shall reign in righteousness over all nations. He shall rule in the hearts of men, by the power of truth, and the Spirit of righteousness. His coming draws nigh; this King, this Judge standeth before the door, but he is not yet come. The Lord will accept the praises of all who seek to promote the kingdom of Christ. The sea can but roar, and how the trees of the wood can show that they rejoice we know not; but He that searches the heart knows what is the mind of the Spirit, and understands the words, the broken language of the weakest. Christ will come to judge the earth, to execute just vengeance on his enemies, and to fulfil his largest promises to his people. What then are we? Would that day be welcome to us? If this be not our case, let us now begin to prepare to meet our God, by seeking the pardon of our sins, and the renewal of our souls to holiness."
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