Psalms 96:1-13 - Homilies By C. Short

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 THROUGH THE WHOLE EARTH . ( Psalms 96:1 , Psalms 96:3 .) This is a strongly missionary psalm: "Among the heathen;" "Among all people."

IV. BECAUSE OF HIS EXCLUSIVE DEITY . ( Psalms 96:4 , Psalms 96:5 .) The idol gods of the nations have no existence; an idol is nothing. But Jehovah is faithful and righteous and omnipotent.

V. BECAUSE OF THE GLORY OF HIS CREATIVE WORK . ( Psalms 96:5 .) "But the Lord made the heavens."

VI. BECAUSE OF HIS MANIFESTATIONS OF HIMSELF TO TRUE WORSHIPPERS . ( Psalms 96:6-9 .) He reveals his honour and majesty, shows them his beauty and strength.

VII. HIS RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT SECURES THE ORDER AND STEADFASTNESS OF THE WORLD . ( Psalms 96:10 .) Despotic kings and turbulent peoples seem to shake the world and make it insecure—the moral world.

VIII. THE TRUE WORSHIPPER FEELS THAT ALL NATURE IS IN SYMPATHY WITH HIS DEVOTION . ( Psalms 96:11 , Psalms 96:12 .) To him in his highest moods the heavens rejoice, and the earth is glad; the sea thunders forth the praises of God, and the trees of the forest clap their hands; for all see that God is coming forth to assume the supreme and universal reign.—S.