Psalm 96:5 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 96:1-9

These verses will be best expounded by pious and devout affections working in our souls towards God, with a high veneration for his majesty and transcendent excellency. The call here given us to praise God is very lively, the expressions are raised and repeated, to all which the echo of a thankful heart should make agreeable returns. I. We are here required to honour God, 1. With songs, Ps. 96:1, 2. Three times we are here called to sing unto the Lord; sing to the Father, to the Son, to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 96:5

For all the gods of the nations are idols ,.... Or are "nothings" F15 אלילים "nihila", Tigurine version, Cocceius, Michaelis. , nonentities; such as have not, and never had, any being, at least many of them, but in the fancies of men; and all of them such as have no divinity in them; an idol is nothing in the world , 1 Corinthians 8:4 , but the Lord made the heavens ; and all the hosts of them, the sun, moon, and stars; these are the curious workmanship of his fingers, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 96:5

All the gods of the nations are idols - אלהי elohey . All those reputed or worshipped as gods among the heathens are אלילים elilim , vanities, emptinesses, things of nought. Instead of being Elohim, they are elilim; they are not only not God, but they are nothing." "Jehovah made the heavens." He who is the creator is alone worthy of adoration. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 96:1-13

Metrically, the psalm consists of four stanzas, the first three of three verses each, and the last of four. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 96:1-13

How and why Jehovah is to be worshipped. I. WITH A NEW SONG . ( Psalms 96:1 .) Praise that shall celebrate the new revelation of himself, which he is about to make in a new era of the world. Constantly new revelation. II. BY CELEBRATING THE SAVING WORK WHICH GOD IS DOING IN THE WORLD . ( Psalms 96:2 .) His coming to judge the people righteously, and thus to save them. Saving men every day. III. BY PUBLISHING HIS CHARACTER AND WORK ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 96:5

For all the gods of the nations are idols ; rather, vanities, or nothings. In the original there is a play upon the words—the elohim of the nations are mere elilim. Elilim is a favourite designation of the heathen gods in Isaiah. Compare the statement of St. Paul, "We know that an idol is nothing in the world " ( 1 Corinthians 8:4 ). But the Lord made the heavens. That which is nothing can do nothing, can make nothing. How far superior is Jehovah, who "made the heavens"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 96:5

Idolatry. Thus it was three thousand years ago. Thus, to an extent as astounding as melancholy, it is today. Population of globe estimated at fourteen hundred millions; if so, one thousand millions heathen. Considering the prevalence, permanence, antiquity, of idolatry, that these words and many like these should have been written when and where they were, is no unsubstantial proof of the superhuman authorship, Divine inspiration, of Old Testament Scriptures. History presents no more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 96:5

The God of heaven. This seems to have been the Babylonian name for the God of the Jews. "Lord of heaven;" "King of heaven." It expresses the apprehension gained by the Babylonians (see Nebuchadnezzar's acknowledgment, Daniel 5:1-31 :37). It intimates that Jehovah, though an all-powerful God, was in no sense a local God, with a limited kingdom and ordinary earthly claims. To call God the "God of heaven" is at least making a beginning towards the realization of him as spiritual. I. ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 96:5

For all the gods of the nations are idols - All the gods worshipped by the people of other lands are mere “idols.” None of them can claim to have a real existence as gods. The word here rendered “idols” is translated by the Septuagint, δαιμόνια daimonia, “demons.” So the Latin Vulgate “daemonia.” The Hebrew word - אליל 'ĕlı̂yl - means properly “of nothing, nought, empty, vain.” See Job 13:4. The meaning here is, that they were mere nothings; they had no real existence; they were the creations... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 96:4-6

Psalms 96:4-6. For the Lord Hebrew, Jehovah, is great Infinite in his nature and attributes; and greatly to be praised All our most exalted praises fall infinitely short of his greatness. He is to be feared above all gods The gods of the heathen, as the next words expound it. For all the gods of the nations are idols Or, nothing, as they are called 1 Corinthians 8:4; 1 Corinthians 10:19; and, as אלילים , elilim, here rendered idols, signifies; or, vain things, as others... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 96:1-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 96:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 96:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 96:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 96:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 96:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 96:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 96:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 96:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 96:4-6

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