Psalm 96:1-13
Q.1. Why is God to be praised above all others? With whom were the good tidings to be shared? Why? – (Ps.96:1-10)
We should sing to the Lord a fresh new song that comes out of the meditation of our hearts (Ps.96:1). The Psalmist credited God with wonderful deeds. He declared that – the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods (Ps.96.4). This is so because all the gods of the surrounding nations are mere man-made idols – … but the Lord made the heavens (Ps.96:5). The good tidings of the greatness and His salvation should be proclaimed each day – among the nations (Ps.96:2-3). All the earth should tremble at His majesty and splendour (Ps.96:9). The task of the righteous is to – say among the nations, The Lord reigns! Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity (Ps.96:10). The Psalmist took this task seriously.
Q.2. To what does God’s reign apply? Why did the Psalmist want all people to factor in a future judgment? –(Ps.96:10-13)
The Psalmist reflected on God’s role in this life … and beyond this life. We should factor in the hereafter because God’s reign is eternal over all He has created. We are wise to remember that … He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness (Ps.96:13). Every week that passes by reminds us that there is much injustice and inequality in the world. This inequity necessitates God’s faithfulness and intervention (Ps.96:10). If God ignored man’s inhumanity toward man, He would neither be just nor faithful. However – … He is coming. He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness (Ps.96:13). Wise are those who give greater consideration to the distant future, than they give to the immediate future. This should not fill us with fear. The anticipation of Christ’s future coming and reign, filled the Psalmist with joy (Ps.96:11-12).